MPs Debate Safety
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MEMBERS devoted the last hour of their business before Easter to a discussion on road safety and traffic congestion—a discussion that brought out several ideas for improving matters.
Opening the debate, Sir Ronald Russell (Tory, Wembley South) said that the cost of traffic congestion was estimated at about £500m. a year.
Pressing for more motorways, Sir Ronald said that the only kinds of traffic which did not mix very well were slowmoving heavy lorries and fast cars.
He asked too for improved street namingand numbering, which would have an effect on road safety.
Dealing with traffic lights, Sir Ronald said the amber should never show in both directions at once—it created danger.
Mr. Clive Bossom (Tory, Leominster) suggested that every county should copy London's central traffic division, with a special mobile section of "courtesy cops". He called for a rigid enforcement of lane discipline..
Speed limits on motorways might one day have to be introduced, especially for commercial vehicles and even motor cycles, forecast Mr. Bossom. in the meantime, for safety, commercial vehicles should be banned from going on the overtaking lane on motorways.
In a review of lighting needs, Mr. Bossom said he hoped for new standards, new designs and new degrees of brightness for rear lights, especially for commercial vehicles.
Industry, with the help of the Government, must soon devise an anti-pollution device for all exhausts, went on Mr. Bossom. Smoking exhausts helped to cause accidents, because people in desperation tried to pass smoking trucks.
Replying to the debate. Mr. Stephen Swingter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, promised that all the points raised would be noted.
Replying to a question from Sir Ronald about indicators, Mr. Swingler pointed out it. had already been decided that direction indicators on vehicles first registered on or after September 1 this year had to be amber. As.soon as the Ministry had gained experience of the new type of indicator, standardized and in general use, it would consider making hs compulsory for all vehicles on the road