Road Safety (High-Powered Cars)

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 July 1959.

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Photo of Sir William Anstruther-Gray Sir William Anstruther-Gray , Berwickshire and East Lothian 12:00, 22 July 1959

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether his attention has been drawn to the production of a motor car, in the medium price range, advertised as being capable of achieving a speed of 100 miles-per-hour in 31 seconds; and what estimate he has made of the impact on road safety of such vehicles in the hands of persons without experience of high-powered cars.

Photo of Sir Richard Nugent Sir Richard Nugent , Guildford

Yes, Sir. I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend's Question will serve to emphasise the vital importance of a driver having complete control of his vehicle, whatever its potentialities may be.

Photo of Sir William Anstruther-Gray Sir William Anstruther-Gray , Berwickshire and East Lothian

May we take it from that reply that my hon. Friend agrees that this is a matter on which we should keep a watchful eye?

Photo of Sir Richard Nugent Sir Richard Nugent , Guildford

We have to keep a very fast eye open to see this one. Most of these vehicles are to be exported, so per-haps that will relieve my hon. and gallant Friend's mind.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

Will the hon. Gentleman say on what roads in this small island it is either possible or desirable that we should have vehicles capable of doing 100 m.p.h.?

Photo of Sir Richard Nugent Sir Richard Nugent , Guildford

I think that these vehicles might well do that speed in certain circumstances on the new motorways. We should not see this thing out of perspective. The braking power of these vehicles is just as good as the acceleration. That is an aspect of safety that we should bear in mind.