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Fast-lane Regulations on the Way?
Page 61
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NfiR. MARPLES is keeping in mind the al possibility of imposing conditions on the use of the fast lane on motorways by slow vehicles and lorries.
Reporting this to the Upper House last week, Government spokesman Lord Newton commented that he felt certain the Minister's determination would be strengthened by what peers had said during a debate that day on road accidents.
Lord Newton recalled that last year Mr. Marples explored this idea with the chief constables concerned with the Ml, and the conclusion was reached that, although there was some abuse of the fast lane, regulations would not be justified at present. The right solution would be for people to observe the motorway rules laid down in the Highway Code, he added.
The Minister had not made up his mind against having speed limits on motorways, either generally or for particular classes of vehicles, emphasi/ed Lord Newton, but was examining it closely.
During her speech which opened the debate, Lady Summerskill said lorry drivers should be protected by regulations from the owner who offered incentives to drivers to complete a journey in a time inconsistent with safety.
" Do not let us say that the lorry driver is always wrong," she appealed. " Pressure may be brought to bear upon him which he never reveals and cannot reveal. He may have a large family. It may be extremely important for him to earn this extra money. So, first of all. let us establish immediately the fact that he must be protected."
Lord Somers was one of those who thought that lorries should not be allowed to use the fast lane on a motorway. On the whole, lorry drivers were by far the best On the road, he said, but they sometimes acted unwisely.
Lord Merton asked for a return to the special test for heavy vehicle drivers. A fairly rigorous test should he imposed before comparatively inexperienced young men were allowed to drive them, he said.
Lord Lindgren spoke of inducements offered by some employers. He added: " In regard to road haulage generally it is the curse of bonus and piecework that is a contributory factor to accidents."
Lord Lindgren warned that if the Minister considered banning lorries from the third lane vested interest would be aroused---" the road haulage associations and the rest are bound to kick up a fuss".
Another cause of accidents was that many of the loads on our roads today were unsuitable and ought to be transported by rail, he said,