HC Deb 10 July 1989 vol 156 cc414-5W
53. Mr. Dickens

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for making motorways safer.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In April last year, the Secretary of State announced a package of measures designed to improve the overall level of safety on motorways. Many of these measures were implemented rapidly. Others, involving regulatory procedures or new research are for the longer term.

We are anxious to improve the standard of driving on motorways. We have produced 11 million leaflets offering advice on the key safety rules for motorway driving. We are encouraging newly qualified drivers to take additional tuition on motorway driving after passing the L test and before actually taking to the motorway.

The motorway safety package included measures to improve safety at roadworks. From 1 August last year, speed limits at major motorway roadworks and contraflows were made mandatory and traffic at these sites is being monitored by video equipment. At contraflows, lorries are now normally restricted to the near side lane.

New regulations are currently being prepared which will allow vehicles at the end of a slow moving queue to switch on their hazard warning lights.

The "Lane Closed" gantry signal (flashing red lights) is being replaced so as to display a red cross which will be more readily understood. Similarly, the symbol showing the end of restrictions will be replaced by the word "End". These changes will be implemented progressively, over several years.

A trial of 70 mph speed limit repeater signs on the M1 has been taking place since last September to establish their effect on vehicle speed.

We shall shortly be experimenting with "Chevron markings" to see if they help drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

The Department is also co-operating with some private sector companies to produce road safety publicity material. Amongst recent initiatives is a video recently produced by the Association of British Insurers called "Happens All The Time". This brings home the main lessons on safer motorway driving to 17 to 24-year-olds.