"Tiredness Can Kill"

HC Deb 09 April 2001 vol 366 c370W

Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role concessionaires at motorway service areas have in respect of the siting of "Tiredness Kills" notices. [156834]

Mr. Hill

The Highways Agency has occasionally provided "Tiredness Can Kill" signs at locations, like the main holiday routes, where motorists are especially likely to drive for long periods without a rest. Motorway service area (MSA) operators were not involved in these decisions.

More recently, MSA operators have approached the Agency about providing these signs at their own expense. The Agency will normally agree unless there are site-Specific reasons for refusing. There are no formal rules, but we have sought to ensure that, where provided, these signs are placed no more than a mile or two ahead of an MSA where drivers can stop safely.