§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he is making into the effect on road safety on motorways of sudden transition from lit to unlit sections during hours of darkness or in other poor lighting conditions.
§ Mr. AtkinsNone. Research into driver reaction times in changing from lit to unlit conditions was carried out in the 1970s. I have no evidence to suppose that its conclusions are no longer appropriate. But I am considering the introduction of lighting on further stretches of the motorways network where this can be justified. Lighting can reduce night-time accidents by 30 per cent. This has to be balanced against cost and environmental intrusion.
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to stagger the transition on motorways from lit to unlit sections to enable drivers to adjust more easily to the changing conditions.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo. Research has shown that the average driver adapts from lit to unlit conditions at night in approximately one second. I am considering the introduction of lighting on further sections of motorway where the economic and safety advantages outweigh the cost and environmental intrusion. The introduction of lighting to fill existing gaps on the network would reduce the number of transitions between lit and unlit sections.