§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional protection for car passengers he proposes to make over the next five years to abate accident injuries on British roads.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 22 January 1990]: The Department reviews continually how improved construction standards might achieve casualty reductions, both among vehicle occupants and among those who are hit by vehicles. Any such standards require agreement in the EC. Safer steering wheels and protection against side impact are two areas with considerable potential where we have pressed for early action. More generally, we have sought to focus the attention of the Commission on priorities on vehicle safety through the note, "United Kingdom Priorities for Reducing Road Deaths and Serious Injuries from Improvements to Vehicle Construction Standards", copies of which I am placing in the Library.