HC Deb 24 March 1970 vol 798 cc326-7W
57. Mr. Derek Page

asked the Minister of Transport what investigations his Department has conducted into the correlation between car colours and accident rates; and what discussions have taken place between his Department and the car industry on this question.

Mr. Bob Brown

The Road Research Laboratory has carried out research to determine which colour makes vehicles the most conspicuous, but the results show that this varies with the prevailing light conditions. It is unlikely that a direct investigation of the correlation between vehicle colours and accident rates would be helpful, as it is reasonable to suppose that different colours would be favoured by different types of drivers. In the circumstances, I doubt whether there would be much value in discussing this question with the industry.

58. Sir H. Harrison

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give an estimate of the reduction in road accidents arising from the implementation of the Transport Act, 1968.

Mr. Bob Brown

It would not be possible to separate this element of the road accident savings of recent years.

67. Mr. Crawshaw

asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek to amend Section 213 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, so that a motorist shall not be required to pay for emergency treatment to a pedestrian involved in a traffic accident irrespective of blame.

Mr. Mulley

I have no plans for legislation on this subject.

68. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Minister of Transport what are the reasons for the increase in serious accidents on the M1 motorway, as shown in the latest available yearly figures.

Mr. Bob Brown

Part of the increase is attributable to the opening of an additional 21 miles of the motorway in the summer and autumn of 1968, and to the consequent and other increases in the volume of traffic. There is no immediate explanation for the remaining part of the increase, but we will be keeping a watch on the injury rates per vehicle mile to see how they move in relation to those for other motorways. They are of course very much lower than the average for all roads.