HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc336-8W
Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has of the accepted decibel level of motor cycle exhaust noise being exceeded; and what additional measures have been taken or will be taken to stop it.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We have no evidence of failure to comply with the statutory noise limits applying to new motor cycles. We do sometimes receive representations of excessive noise from cycles as in use on the roads. Enforcement of the limits is primarily a matter for the police, but the MOT test for motor cycles includes an inspection of the exhaust system. This helps to limit noise resulting from defective silencers. My right hon. Friend proposes to produce

PERCENTAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS KILLED WHEN OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT OF BLOOD ALCOHOL* (ENGLAND AND WALES)
All Motor Vehicle Drivers Motor Vehicle Drivers Excluding Two-Wheelers
1974 … … … … 33 36
1975 … … … … 35 38
1976 … … … … 33 38
1977 … … … … 29 33
1978 … … … … 30(P) na.

1 Based on a sample of coroners' reports where death occurred within 12 hours of the accident.

(P) Provisional figure based on partial sample.

na. Not currently available.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents were recorded in England and Wales and

INJURY ROAD ACCIDENTS, GREAT BRITAIN 1974–78
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978*
England … … 212,064 214,534 225,368 232,647 234,200
Wales … … 11,393 11,075 11,498 11,388 11,600
Scotland … … 20,585 20,677 21,773 21,826 22,100
*Estimated from incomplete data.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Minister of Transport what is the percentage of total road accidents occurring during the periods from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in England and Wales as com-

INJURY ACCIDENTS: BY HOUR OF DAY 1974–1977
1974 1975 1976 1977
8 p.m.—2 a.m.
England and Wales … … … … 49,846 50,139 51,218 51,941
Scotland … … … … 4,914 4,780 5,120 5,235
2 p.m.—3 p.m.
England and Wales … … … … 12,793 12,816 13,221 14,045
Scotland … … … … 1,256 1,261 1,326 1,263
3 p.m.—6 p.m.
England and Wales … … … … 55,466 56,444 59,243 61,604
Scotland … … … … 5,284 5,158 5,428 5,534
6 p.m.—8 p.m.
England and Wales … … … … 23,641 23,290 24,676 26,407
Scotland … … … … 2,507 2,477 2,498 2,575
Other hours
England and Wales … … … … 81,711 82,920 87,598 90,038
Scotland … … … … 6,624 7,001 7,401 7,219

regulations laying down more stringent noise limits for new motor cycles later this year.