HC Deb 03 February 1998 vol 305 cc635-6W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow H/PSO/12079/97 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, what reply he has received from the vehicle engineering section relating to sensors mounted on vehicles intended to detect the presence of ice and/or water on the road ahead; and if he will make a statement. [25298]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Department has now considered the article from theNew Scientist. The method described detects ice and water only a few centimetres in front of the front tyres, and this seems to be its major limitation. Ideally such a device should measure the grip a hundred metres in front of the vehicle, so allowing the driver to be warned in advance of any danger.

While it is not the Department's intention at this stage to get involved in any further developments of this device, we will be pleased to hear if further work results in a sensor that can deliver useful benefits.