§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Transport what resources in staff and money are currently engaged in work towards the development of heavy goods vehicle front underrun guards.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn the current financial year about 1.5 man-years of TRRL research staff effort will be used in the development of heavy goods vehicle front underrun bumpers, at an estimated cost (including contract and support services) of about £70,000.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to introduce a mandatory specification for the fitting of energy absorbing front underrun protection to heavy goods vehicles to reduce the severity of injury to car and light van occupants in heavy goods vehicle/car accidents.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe transport and road research laboratory is carrying out research into a practical specification for effective energy absorbing front underrun guards. When this work is completed we shall decide whether these devices should be required on all new lorries.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many car and light van occupants were injured in the current year in accidents involving the fronts of heavy goods vehicles.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyFigures for 1986 are not yet available. The data for 1985 are as follows: 401W
Occupants of cars and light vans injured in accidents involving the fronts of heavy goods vehicles: by severity:
Great Britain: 1985
Number Fatal 294 Serious 1,216 Slight 3,927 Total 5,437