§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will introduce legislation to enforce a statutory minim urn distance between vehicles using motorways during fog and other poor road conditions;
(2) whether he will introduce a lower maximum speed limit on motorways during fog;
(3) what research is being conducted by his department into the prevention of accidents on fog-bound motorways;
(4) whether, following recent accidents, he will take steps to install comprehen- 142W sive fog and accident warning systems on all motorways;
(5) whether he will make a statement on recent multi-vehicle collisions on motorways.
§ Mr. MulleyRegulations about separation distances and speeds in fog would be virtually impossible to enforce and could themselves create danger. Fog and accident warning systems already exist on all motorways. The latest form of remotely controlled sign giving advisory speed limits and other information is being installed on the more heavily trafficked motorways initially and later on them all. There is no substitute for careful driving and the proper allowance for weather conditions by drivers which is inherent in the observation of these warnings. The Ministry's recently published Driving Manual gives sound advice on driving in fog. I will examine the evidence about the accidents of the last few days but I do not expect research to produce solutions which only responsible driving can produce.