HL Deb 17 February 1966 vol 272 cc1251-2WA
LORD CHESHAM

asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will, in respect of their statement "Other countries besides our own have shown that speed limits can reduce accidents" which had been widely advertised in the national Press, give the full relevant details on which this statement is based, including:—

  1. (a) Which countries are concerned.
  2. (b) What were the speed limits.
  3. (c) On what roads were they applied.
  4. (d) Over what period were they applied.
    5. 1252
  5. (e) What were the official results on the accident rates.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF POWER (LORD LINDGREN)

The information is contained in a number of publications, notably the following:—

  1. 1. The influence of speed and speed regulations on traffic flow and accidents, by R. J. Smeed, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.S.S., A.I.C.E. (formerly Deputy Director (Traffic and Safety) Road Research Laboratory; now Professor of Traffic Studies, University College London).
  2. 2. Speed restrictions, by R. F. Newby, B.Sc., F.S.S. (Road Research Laboratory).
  3. 3. Research on road Safety (Road Research Laboratory, H.M.S.O.; in particular Chapter 6).
  4. 4. Research on road Traffic (Road Research Laboratory, H.M.S.O.; in particular Chapter 10).
  5. 5. Accidents on main rural highways related to speed, driver and vehicle, by David Solomon (U.S. Bureau of Public Roads—Washington, D.C.).
  6. 6. The application of temporary road speed limits in Sweden 1961–62 (Report of the 1961 Swedish Traffic Safety Committee).
  7. 7. Registration and localization of the traffic accidents (Ministry of Public Works, Road Directorate, Denmark).

I am sending copies of the first two publications to the noble Lord. The third, fourth and fifth publications are held in the Library. Consideration is being given to the future publication, in concise form, of the most important material dealing with the relationship between speed and road safety.

House adjourned at twenty-two minutes past eight o'clock.