Road Safety

HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc443-5W

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent car drivers above a certain age from obtaining driving licences, after making studies to enable him to determine what the upper age-limit should be.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

No. The evidence available to me shows that older drivers do not constitute a major road safety problem in comparison with other groups.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent cyclists under a certain age using bicycles on the public highway, after making studies to enable him to determine what the lowest age limit should be.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

No.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what figures are available showing the number and nature of accidents to 17-year-old car drivers as compared to those of other age groups.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Figures of casualties among car drivers, including an analysis by age groups, is given in the Department's publication "Road Accidents 1969", a copy of which is kept in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what survey he has made of age limitations in respect of motor cycle and moped driving licences in member countries of the European Economic Community and of the European Free Trade Association, in relation to British limitations.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

There is no clear pattern of age limits in the countries for which information is available to me: some are lower and others are higher than those now proposed.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage the Royal Automobile Club's and the Auto-Cycle Union's training scheme for young road users, with special reference to 15-year-old young adults.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

My Department is discussing with thte Royal Automobile Club and the Cycle and Motor Cycle Association ways in which support for the scheme can be strengthened and its attractiveness increased.