§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport, since 28 per cent. of all road accidents are caused by deficiencies in the road environment, what effect the reduction in road maintenance standards on trunk roads, other than motorways, is likely to have on accident involvement of goods vehicles.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe hon. Member appears to have misinterpreted the results of a Transport and Road Research Laboratory study. What it showed was that while only 2½ per cent. of accidents were caused solely by road conditions, when road user and vehicle condition were added these three factors then combined to cause 28 per cent. of accidents.
I assure the hon. Member that road safety will continue to be a major consideration in determining the level of investment in the maintenance of trunk roads.