§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has conducted into safety factors in respect of new roads.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe Department carries out safety audits of new trunk roads before they are opened to traffic and specifically reviews their safety performance one and three years after opening as well as continuing with routine monitoring of safety. It also carries out a programme of research into factors which affect road safety, including, for example, pedestrian and cycle facilities, traffic calming measures, junction design, surfacing and safety fences. This is used in reviewing standards for new roads and in improving existing roads.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been undertaken on the additional injuries in accidents to pedestrians and cyclists caused by bull and roo bars on motor vehicles.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlislePedestrian injury accidents are currently being investigated by the Transport Research Laboratory. As yet this research has been unable to reach firm conclusion concerning injuries from bull or roo bars; but I expect the investigations to show increased accident injury from such equipment.
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