§ 44. Mr. Mawbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the improvement in road casualty figures in 1974 is attributable to a reduction in the volume of traffic.
§ Dr. GilbertRoad casualties were 8 per cent. less in 1974 than in 1973. This improvement was, no doubt, partly due to a reduction in traffic of 3 per cent.
§ Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the effect of cut-backs in street lighting in winter by local authorities on the level of accidents resulting in serious personal injuries.
§ Mr. CarmichaelDuring the emergency period of the winter of 1973–74 the cuts in street lighting were made primarily on minor roads, away from junctions, in urban areas. The number of fatal and serious casualties on these road sections at night during the emergency was 260, or 12 per cent. greater than in the corresponding period of 1972–73. In daylight on the same sections of road casualties fell by 110, or 6 per cent. 479W Factors other than the cuts in street lighting may have made some contribution to these results.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of the changes in the number of accidents involving parked vehicles since the advent of the Road Vehicles Lighting—Standing Vehicles Exemption Regulations 1972; and if he will now amend or revoke these regulations.
§ Dr. GilbertA study of the effect of these regulations appeared in "Road Accidents in Great Britain 1972" which was published by the Department of the Environment. My right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley) informed the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 16th May—[Vol. 892, c.195.]—that the regulations will shortly be amended so that cars may park without lights in certain additional places off main carriageways, where it is safe to do so.