ROAD DANGERS: DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS. (Hansard, 23 April 1941)

§ LORD SNELL

In present circumstances the measures possible to safeguard the public against the effects of carelessness are necessarily limited, but His Majesty's Government are proceeding on three main lines—namely, influence on public opinion, safeguards in the black-out and enforcement of the law. The publicity campaigns being conducted by the Ministry of Information and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents aim at securing a higher standard of conduct of all road users and countering the serious deterioration in road behaviour which has become manifest during the progress of the war. The preservation of the76WA black-out is a strategic necessity, but subject to the overriding requirement of avoiding undue visibility from the air a reasonable driving light is permitted as well as a reduced form of street lighting. Aids to movement for all road users, in the shape of white lines, white markings and lights on islands and other obstructions are provided. Enforcement presents a difficult problem to the police, who have many additional responsibilities. It is not possible to continue on any extensive scale the special police patrols which promised much success before the war, but police supervision is by no means suspended and is being intensified as far as may be possible from time to time.

Government Departments using their own transport have taken steps to secure safe operation so far as possible, particularly by the reduction of speed schedules. Thus, in the case of the G.P.O., the average speed (excluding stops) has been reduced during the black-out by 20 per cent. to 25 per cent., and now ranges from not more than 8 miles per hour in congested areas to 15 miles per hour for long runs in rural areas. In addition, drivers of Post Office motor mail vehicles have been given an extra time allowance of ten minutes per hour. Similarly, the working schedules of public service vehicles during the black-out, both in London and the provinces, have been adjusted to the more difficult conditions. In the case of the Air Ministry, special orders have been issued emphasizing the need for careful driving and for the strict observance of traffic laws and regulations, and maximum speeds have been laid down. In the case of the War Office, as the Secretary of State announced in another place on February 4 and March 25 last, urgent instructions have been given to all personnel about the observance of traffic restrictions, and special speed limits have been imposed on military vehicles, even in non-restricted areas. The following are extracts from recent instructions: Traffic signals and road signs will be strictly observed by all military personnel or civil drivers under military control. No officer, soldier or civilian under War Department control can give or be given authority to disregard traffic signals and road signs. Officers who are being driven in military vehicles are reminded that it is their duty to check any tendency on the part of the driver to ignore the above instructions. The maximum speed limits … will be brought to the notice of all concerned by 77WA publication in unit and formation orders monthly. Severe disciplinary action will be taken where the speed limits imposed by civil law or laid down in instructions are exceeded and in all cases of dangerous driving. Full use is made of the military police to enforce these instructions, and the civil police are co-operating by prosecuting any cases of serious breaches of traffic regulations by War Department drivers or by reporting cases to the military authorities to enable disciplinary action to be taken.