§ Mr. EnrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department has conducted into the change in the numbers of safari-type four-wheel drive vehicles;
136W(2) what research his Department has conducted into the impact on pedestrian safety of the level of ownership of safari-type vehicles.
§ Mr. KeyMarket trends and predictions from the motor industry suggest that the market share for four-wheel-drive vehicles typified by the Land/Range Rover is rising rapidly and may reach 3 per cent. of the car population by 1996.
The Department has not carried out any research in terms of the level of ownership of safari type vehicles. But Transport Research Laboratory tests on such vehicles fitted with bull bars showed that the rigidity of the metal bars could cause an increase in pedestrian injuries. We have now taken steps to identify accidents involving a vehicle with bull bars and a pedestrian to ascertain whether bull bars are causing increased injuries. We do not expect to see results from this exercise before the end of 1994.