HC Deb 14 April 1969 vol 781 cc209-10W
Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of road accidents which occurred between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., in each month since 1st November, 1968; and what were the corresponding figures for the winter of 1967–68.

Mr. Marsh

The number of fatal and serious casualties in November and December—the latest months for which figures are available—were as follows:

November December
1968 1967 1968 1967
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. 1,376 1,189 1,210 955
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.* 1,994 2,087 1,761 2,225
* Figures to 6.30 p.m. are not readily available.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to identify the causes of the increase in road casualties at the beginning of 1969; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marsh

The figures for January which I gave before Easter were provisional totals. We are now studying the accident reports in more detail, as we do each month, to see if they show any particular factor which might account for the high totals for the month.