§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirement there is for local authorities to maintain a road safety section. [7593]
§ Mr. NorrisSection 39(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires each local authority to prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety. In relation to England, the local authorities for this 47W purpose are county, metropolitan district and London borough councils. In particular, authorities must carry out studies into accidents and must, in the light of those studies, take such measures as appear to them appropriate to prevent such accidents, including the dissemination of information and advice on the use of the roads, the giving of practical training to road users, and the construction, improvement, maintenance or repair of roads for which they are the highway authority. It is the responsibility of each authority to decide on the arrangements to fulfil these requirements.