§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet heard from the Royal Institute for the Deaf regarding the suggestion of the hon. Member for Newham, North-West suggestion that deaf drivers should be issued with a distinctive car badge warning pedestrians and other motorists of the driver's deafness and to take special precautions other than signalling by audible means.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Royal National Institute for the Deaf is completely opposed to the suggestion that deaf drivers should display a distinctive badge as a warning to other road users. Its response, together with the lack of evidence that deaf drivers constitute a particular hazard on the road, confirms my view that such a scheme is not called for at the present time. I am arranging to send the hon. Member a copy of the RNID's letter.