HC Deb 17 October 1912 vol 42 cc1439-41W
Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that the motor omnibus companies have persisted in running their vehicles through certain thoroughfares, in spite of the fact that they had previously been warned by petitions from the inhabitants that such traffic was bound to be dangerous owing to the narrow and congested state of the roadway; whether he is aware that persons have since been killed by these motor omnibuses in these thoroughfares; and whether he contemplates taking any action against the directors of the motor omnibus trust?

Mr. McKENNA

The experience of the police is that, in every case where a new omnibus route is started the residents along the line object. If the passage of omnibuses through any narrow street were prohibited by law, many of the most used omnibus routes would have to be closed. As the law stands, however, neither the Secretary of State nor the Commissioner has power to prescribe or prohibit the use of particular routes by omnibuses, and the Commissioner is expressly prohibited from limiting the number of stage carriages that may use any street. I propose to communicate with the omnibus companies with a view, if possible, to inducing them to adopt arrangements which will reduce the number of accidents.

Sir ARTHUR MARKHAM

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to ascertain the speed of motor cars and omnibuses, he will consider the desirability of fitting accurate speedometers to Government-owned cars which would then readily ascertain the maximum speed attained by motors and motor omnibuses; whether he is aware that an association of motor-car owners some time ago placed on the streets of London a vehicle showing on a large dial the speed this vehicle travelled; whether he is aware that the object of this association was to show the public that a moderate speed for motor vehicles was unnecessary, and will he ask this association to assist him in fitting the same reliable speedometers to cars run by the police; and whether, if the Treasury refuse to grant the money necessary to purchase cars, he would accept an offer of motor cabs fitted with accurate speedometers for the use of the police?

Mr. McKENNA

I am aware of the facts stated by my hon. Friend; but the suggestion that Government-owned cars, fitted with speedometers should be employed to pursue and test the speed of vehicles suspected of proceeding at excessive speed is one I cannot accept, as if adopted it would inevitably result in increasing the number of accidents.

Sir ARTHUR MARKHAM

asked the Home Secretary why motor vehicles are allowed to travel in the streets of the Metropolis at excessive speed, seeing the law provides that no motor vehicle shall travel at any speed dangerous to the public; whether he is aware that even the maximum permitted speed is habitually exceeded by motor-cars and motor omnibuses; whether he is aware that many drivers of those vehicles have no regard to the rights of the public on foot, particularly at crossings; whether he is aware that old and young people who may be crossing a street are often killed and injured owing to this inconsiderate driving; and whether he will direct the Police Commissioners to commence legal proceedings against any driver who deliberately scatters the people at crossings when the people crossing have the prior right of the road?

Mr. McKENNA

I find that in 1911, 893 drivers of motor cabs or omnibuses and 3,556 drivers of other motor vehicles were prosecuted in the Metropolitan Police district for offences connected with excess of speed or dangerous driving. The enforcement of the Motor Car Acts presents many difficulties, but the whole matter is engaging my careful attention, and I am issuing instructions with a view to better differentiation between the more and the less serious classes of offences, and to the more stringent enforcement of the Section which deals with dangerous, reckless, or negligent driving. Reckless driving at a crossing would certainlyprima facie justify proceedings under that Section; but the evidence of the constable, showing that the driving was reckless, is often contradicted by the evidence of the driver or occupants of the car; members of the public can give useful assistance by tendering themselves as witnesses on such an occasion.