Goods Vehicle Tests Soon ?
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QPENING the National Road Safety Is-/Campaign for 1963-4, which has a " Get Fit For The Road" slogan, in London on Monday, the Minister of Transport„said that the condition Of Many goods vehicles which were outside the present scope of the vehicle testing scheme was unsatisfactory and something would have to be done abont it as soon as possible.
Mr. Marples, pointed out that of the first 5 m. cars and light vehicles examined under the vehicle, testing scheme over 1-1; m, failed to pass a straightforward mechanical test and were not in a Safe roadworthy condition.
Saying that he attached much importance:to the testing scheme the Minister went On: I have been criticized for this. by the Motoring organizations and others. People say that-I cannot demonstrate by statistics that vehicle defects account for more than, a small Percentage of accidents. I frankly do not expect that anyone will ever be able, to estimate accurately the number of lives which will be saved by. enforcing and encouraging high standards of vehicle safety, but they will not be few."
Referring to Dr. Beeching's report, the Minister said that the proposals .enabled us to see more clearly the 'part 'which roads will have to play in this second half of the 20th century. " Some people are saying to me that we cannot go.about it in this way ", he said. They fear congestion and frightful increases in road
.casualties." • But the reason why large parts of the railway system were now threatened with closure 'or modification Was beeause they were no longer sufficiently used. Most of their potential traffic had already gone on to the roads because • people now found use of the roads more attractive.