§ Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Transport what special measures are to be taken to increase safety on the roads during the period of summer traffic.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThere will be a general speed limit of 50 m.p.h. during the Whitsun weekend. It will be imposed from noon on Friday, 4th June to midnight on Monday, 7th June on all roads, other than on dual carriageways and motorways and roads already subject to a permanent speed limit. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales have agreed that the same measures will be adopted in Scotland and Wales. This general speed limit will not be indicated by traffic signs, but will be given full publicity through Press advertising at Whitsuntide.
A further measure is that, based on our experience of the experimental 50 m.p.h. summer weekend speed limits over the last five years, a 50 m.p.h. speed limit will be imposed from July onwards on stretches of single carriageway road in England and Wales amounting in total to about 500 miles, which have the worst accident records throughout the year. This is intended to remain permanently in force. It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be indicated by road signs.