§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed with the police and traffic authorities the need to take measures to enforce motorists' respect for pedestrian rights at zebra and pelican crossings.
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§ Mr. ChopeThe Department meets regularly with the police and highway authorities to consider traffic and pedestrian issues. Pedestrian crossing facilities are being reviewed.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give annual figures for road deaths for the last 10 years for which figures are available including
Child and adult deaths when hit by cars on or near pedestrian crossings in the Metropolitan police area of London, and England and Wales, 1981–90 Metropolitan England and Wales Child Adult Child Adult 1981 On crossing 2 25 5 65 Within zig-zag lines 1 17 1 18 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing — — 8 36 1982 On crossing 4 23 8 66 Within zig-zag lines — 2 — 7 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 3 13 10 52 1983 On crossing 2 22 6 63 Within zig-zag lines — — 1 8 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 3 22 14 66 1984 On crossing 1 22 6 58 Within zig-zag lines — 3 2 6 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 3 29 10 84 1985 On crossing 2 21 7 57 Within zig-zag lines 1 2 2 5 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 2 16 10 63 1986 On crossing 6 27 9 84 Within zig-zag lines — 3 — 5 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing — 28 10 88 1987 On crossing — 24 5 70 Within zig-zag lines — 2 — 10 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 1 20 14 79 1988 On crossing 2 23 11 64 Within zig-zag lines 1 4 1 11 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 5 21 10 77 1989 On crossing 1 12 8 57 Within zig-zag lines — 1 — 10 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing 2 26 9 94 1990 On crossing 1 20 6 62 Within zig-zag lines — 3 1 13 Elsewhere within 50 metres of crossing — 14 10 54
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to amend the law to increase the distance at which motorists are required to stop at zebra crossings.
§ Mr. ChopeThis distance is given in regulation 5 (schedule 3) of the "Zebra" Pedestrian Crossing Regulations 1971 and has proved to be satisfactory in practice. I have no proposals to amend these regulations.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he holds for England and Wales on(a) the numbers of outstanding applications for pelican or zebra crossings and (b) the time taken for applications to be processed.
§ Mr. ChopeThe installation of zebra and pelican crossings is a matter for the local highway authority. Most crossings are on local authority roads. Application to the Secretary of State is not necessary and central records are not held.
62Wthe number of (a) children and (b) adults who have been hit by cars on or near pedestrian crossings in (i) the Metropolitan police area of London and (ii) England and Wales.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will update departmental standard TD 4/79 "Pelican Crossings: Pelican Crossing Operation" to increase the amount of time for pedestrians to cross the road.
§ Mr. ChopeDepartmental standard TD 4/79 was amended by departmental standard TD 28/87 and a copy is in the Library. The time for pedestrians to cross the road was increased then.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the report from the Transport and Road Research Laboratory on new techniques to identify sites for pelican crossings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeTRRL has recently published two reports: on delays to pedestrians while waiting to cross the road, and on accidents to pedestrians at or near zebra and 63W pelican crossings. These are being used to formulate policy for crossings including the identification of suitable sites for pelican crossings.