§ 80. Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Transport to what extent the overloading of freight vehicles has contributed to accidents on motorways and trunk roads, respectively, since the inception of motorways; and what action he contemplates to reduce this cause of accidents.
§ Mr. MarplesThe precise extent to which overloading of goods vehicles has contributed to accidents on motorways or trunk roads is difficult to determine. With the help of the manufacturers and operators we are working at a scheme for preventing overloading of goods vehicles by prescribing a maximum permissible weight for each vehicle.
§ 81. Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Transport to what extent the speed of freight vehicles has contributed to accidents on motorways since their inception; and what regulations he proposes to introduce on this matter.
§ Mr. MarplesPrecise information is not available.
I have no evidence at present that would justify imposing special regulations for goods vehicles.
§ Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Transport what advice he has received during the current year regarding the use of fast lanes on motorways 64W by freight vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesI receive regular reports from the police about motorway driving generally and this practice in particular. As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Critchley) last month, I condemn the blocking of the fast lane of a three lane motorway carriageway by a comparatively slow overtaking vehicle, whether goods vehicle or not. I am not at present satisfied that the best way to improve matters is by regulations, and I am considering what more can be done to bring home to drivers their responsibility to observe the rules of motorway behaviour which are contained in the Highway Code.