§ 20. Dr. Twinnasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the road casualty figures for the first quarter of 1986.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe rise in casualties of 4 per cent. in the first quarter of 1986 is disappointing. Of particular concern is the rise of 8 per cent. in car user casualties, which is greater than the 6 per cent. rise in car traffic. There is encouragement to be drawn from the 4 per cent. fall in child pedestrian casualties and the 15 per cent. fall in child cyclist casualties.
The general upturn in casualties follows last year's exceptionally low figures. The trend cannot be reversed by Government alone; it is up to all of us as road users. I urge drivers especially to contribute to reducing road casualties.