§ Lord E. PERCYasked the Minister of Transport how many Orders he has made under Section 46 of the Road Traffic Act, imposing a speed limit on motor vehicles not subject to a general speed limit; and whether, in view of the increasing number of motor accidents, he is taking any action to encourage local authorities to make applications to him under that Section?
§ Mr. PYBUSOnly one Order has been made under Section 46 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, involving the imposition of a local speed limit. The Order in question applies to certain roads within the area of the Southampton Docks. Experience has tended to show that local speed limits, apart from the difficulty of enforcement, are not effective as a means of promoting public safety, and it was a recognition of this fact which no doubt influenced Parliament in repealing those imposed by Regulations under the Motor Car Act, 1903. I am not disposed, therefore, to take any action to encourage fresh applications, though I am prepared to consider carefully any exceptional circumstances attaching to a particular case.