§ Mr. G. Longdenasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents are known to have been due to defective vehicles over 10 years of age, expressed as a percentage of the total number of road accidents, in each of the years 1955, 1956 and 1957, respectively; and what were the numbers of persons killed and injured, respectively, as a 66W result of such defective vehicles in each of these years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI regret that this information is not available.
In 1957, however, 5,005 accidents involving death or injury to road users were recorded as being wholly or partly attributable to defects in vehicles. There is strong reason to believe that vehicle defects are a factor in, and contribute to a much greater number of accidents.
A sample test undertaken at the Government testing station at Hendon in 1956 showed that of vehicles voluntarily submitted for examination 34 per cent. of those 10 years or more old and 17 per cent. of newer vehicles had serious defects in their braking or steering mechanisms and that when lighting defects likely to cause accidents were taken into account these figures increased to 43 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively.