§ Sir Clive Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that legislation has been introduced into the United States Congress providing for a national programme of road markings on secondary rural roads, including centre, lane and edge lining, whether he will introduce such a programme in this country.
§ Mr. PeytonComprehensive advice is already available to local highway authorities on road markings. We are together with other European countries considering American practice.
§ Sir Clive Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of accidents that occurred during the latest period for which figures are available for principal rural roads in which vehicles ran off the highway because of the absence of any delineation of the edge of the carriageway.
§ Mr. PeytonI regret this information is not available.
§ Sir Clive Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that three times more road accidents occur during the hours of darkness than in daylight, he will specify that for new construction, major improvements and maintenance of unlit rural roads, for which he is highway authority, the edge of the carriageway shall be delineated with reflectorised road markings.
§ Mr. PeytonMy Department recommends the laying of a 6-inch wide reflectorised line on the nearside and offside of carriageways on all trunk and principal roads and on any other roads where there is heavy night traffic. On motorways the reflectorised line is 8 inches in width.
According to my information 70 per cent. of all road accidents occur in daylight.