§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the use of a warning triangle behind a motor vehicle is compulsory in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France and Monaco, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland; and whether, in the interests of accident prevention, they will consider introducing it in Great Britain.
§ The Earl of AvonWe know that the use of warning triangles when vehicles break down is compulsory in most European countries. Here it is permissible but not obligatory. We have some reservations about the use of these triangles. They can easily be blown over or knocked down by passing traffic, they are not always easily visible by night, and setting them out can be risky for the person doing so. We would not therefore at the moment wish to make their use compulsory here.
We believe the use of hazard flashers to be a more effective means of giving warning of a broken-down vehicle. They are already fitted to most new vehicles, and we are proposing to make their provision mandatory.