§ Sir C. OMANasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that since the abolition of the speed limit for motor vehicles a number of fatal accidents or injuries to pedestrians have occurred 1658W owing to skidding in streets or frequented roadways due to high speed; and whether he can devise means to restrict excessive speed in such thoroughfares?
§ Mr. PYBUSReturns for 1931 for the country as a whole are not yet available. Those for the Metropolitan Police district show an increase in fatalities to pedestrians attributed to skidding from 14 in 1930 to 17 in 1931. Accidents of this kind are related to weather conditions, and it would be premature to conclude, as my hon. Friend suggests, that the increase, which no one regrets more than I do, is due to the abolition of the maximum speed limit for motor cars and motor cycles.