§ 76. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for improving road safety on the M.4 motorway during foggy conditions.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe elevated section of M.4 already has remotely controlled signs for diverting traffic from the motorway in case of obstruction. Advance warning signs are already placed at the entrances to motorways and we are experimenting with a remotely controlled system on the M.5 which gives advance warning of hazardous conditions including fog and obstructions. Experience with this over the present winter will be necessary before we can judge its effectiveness. We are also examining other systems and hope to reach a decision shortly as to whether any are worth while introducing. I am considering what further useful research can be undertaken but it is already clear that the basic remedy lies in driving within the limits of visibility and using headlights in daylight fog, as the Highway Code advises.
§ Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Transport (1) what studies he has made of the causes of accidents on motorways in fog; and what additional steps he now proposes to guard against their repetition in the future;
(2) what new warning systems he now proposes to introduce on motorways in order to provide adequate signals in the 177W event of an obstruction caused at a time when visibility is seriously restricted.
§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will institute a warning system on main roads leading to the MA motorway, to be used when fog has caused its closure.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI would refer the hon. Members to the Answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Dudley Smith).