HC Deb 18 October 1990 vol 177 cc861-2W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the number of serious or fatal accidents where a hand-held car telephone was an element; what assessment he has made of the road safety aspects of such instruments; and what consideration he has given to alternatives not requiring use of either hand for conversation.

Mr. Chope

There is no information available on such accidents. The use of hand-held telephones while driving constitutes a potential road safety hazard and rule 54 of the highway code states that drivers should not use a hand-held telephone while their vehicle is moving. Drivers who need a car telephone should use hand-free equipment.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the proportion of serious or fatal road accidents occasioned by right turns; and what action he is taking to reduce their occurrence.

Mr. Chope

A total of 17 per cent. of all fatal or serious road accidents involve a vehicle turning right. The highway code advises motorists on the correct procedure for making a right turn and this advice is reinforced in my Department's publicity programme. Many of the small-scale engineering works to improve road safety address this problem. The expanded national road building programme will create new higher-quality roads which are generally safer and on which right-turning accidents are less common.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many outstanding approvals there are for the provision of light-controlled right turns that eliminate conflicting movement; what delay has occured in their installation; and what plans he has to eliminate significant delay.

Mr. Chope

The provision of signal-controlled right turns that eliminate conflicting traffic movements is within the scope of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981. Equipment for this purpose is already type approved by the Department and does not require specific approval. Technical advice has been published showing correct layout of signals, signing and roadmarkings. In the case of trunk roads the Department's policy is to provide signal-controlled right turns where appropriate.