'AR-clear' for Radio-telephones R ADIO-TELEPHONES in vehicles were this week given the "all clear" —at least for the next two years.
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Mr. Fraser announced in the Commons that he had decided there was no need for the time being to proceed with his earlier proposals for a Regulation prohibiting the use of radio-telephone equipment by a driver when driving. "1 intend, however, to review this decision in the light of developments during the next two years ", he added.
The Minister warned that the use of a radio-telephone by the driver of a moving vehicle might constitute an offence of dangerous or careless driving, and said the advice given to GPO subscribers who were driving was to stop in a safe place before taking or making a call. He was sure this was the safest course for all drivers to follow.
Proposals had been circulated for comment last April, Mr. Fraser recalled, and he said that after this manufacturers and private operators of radio-telephones had formed a "mobile radio safety committee." He welcomed their offer to co-operate with his department in a permanent consultative body in order to further safety aspects and he would arrange for full consultation with it. With the Postmaster General, he would also be studying the road-safety aspect of the Post Office radio-telephone service now operating on a limited basis in London and South Lancashire. In these circumstances, said Mr. Fraser, and in the hope that co-operation would promote the further development of efficiency as well as of safety, he had taken this decision.