§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of injuries caused in each of the last five years to passengers in heavy goods vehicles or commercial vehicles who are not wearing seat belts.
§ Mr. ChopeInformation regarding seat belt use by casualties in heavy goods vehicles or commercial vehicles is not available. Information on passenger casualties in light goods vehicles is given in the table. Data for 1990 are not yet available.
Injuries to passengers in light goods vehicles1 who were not wearing a seat belt: Great Britain: 1985–89 Number 1985 952 1986 980 1987 899 1988 938 1989 885 1 Light goods vehicles are defined as goods vehicles up to 1.5 tons unladen weight.
§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring in regulations making it compulsory for passengers in the front of heavy goods vehicles or commercial vehicles to wear seat belts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe present seat belt wearing regulations require seat belts to be used by front seat passengers 309W occupying the specified passenger seat of such vehicles as well as by the driver, where they are fitted. A number of manufacturers of heavy goods vehicles already fit seat belts voluntarily as an important safety feature. A European Community directive will require all new HGVs to be fitted with seat belts from 1997. Seat belts have been required to be fitted to the driver's seat and exposed forward facing front seat of coaches and large minibuses since 1 October 1988.