§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will summarise his response to the Transport Committee's road safety report and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Government believe that the Committee's report provides a valuable analysis and range of suggestions for improving road safety. They agree that, despite a significant drop in the number and severity of casualties in recent years, there is still scope for further reductions. They share the Committee's view that the wider application of low cost engineering measures; an effective programme of education, training and publicity; and the further development of vehicle safety measures can all make a major contribution to the prevention of 27W accidents or reduction in their severity. Continued research, particularly into road user behaviour, is also needed to highlight the behavioural aspects of accident causation.
The Government's response considers each of the 43 detailed recommendations in turn. It is in general agreement with a large number of them, while others will be carefully studied in the context of the Government's own current review of road safety policy. The Government have, however, rejected the Committee's recommendations that the length of the driving test should be increased, that the motorway speed limit should be increased to 80 mph for a trial period, and that the scope of the MOT test should be extended.
The Government's full response is available in the Library.