§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to local authorities about implementing section 8 of the Road Traffic Act 1975.
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§ Mr. RifkindNo written guidance has been issued by my Department. Section 8 of the Road Traffic Act 1974, which was brought into operation in Scotland on 1 April 1979, describes in very specific terms the duty placed on local highway authorities. In view of this, the great diversity of conditions pertaining in Scotland and the responsibility of each authority for its own staffing and organisation, it was decided that specific written guidance would not be appropriate. Technical advice and assistance on accident investigation and its application has however been available to authorities through the Scottish Road Safety Advisory Unit of my Department. Moreover, the Institute of Highway Engineers are to publish a code of practice which should be of considerable assistance to local authorities in carrying out the duty conferred on them by section 8.