MPs weigh in to warn of HGV danger

11 October 2006
 
Transport minister, Stephen Ladyman, has been warned that more people will die on Britain’s roads because the Government will not stand up to Brussels and insist on heavy goods lorries being fitted with retro-reflective tapes.
Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs this week backed a Labour rebel in a showdown with the Government over its Road Safety Bill.
MPs warned that research showed 37% of collisions with lorries at night occurred because they were seen too late.
David Dew, Labour MP for Stroud, told the minister: ‘Too many accidents are caused because people simply do not see the poorly lit vehicles which do not have the appropriate reflective tape.’
Passenger side mirrors and audible warnings should also be installed, the Government was told.
But Dr Ladyman said the UK had to wait for Brussels to introduce a Europe-wide law which was not expected until 2012.
Labour MPs rejected a new clause proposed by Dr Drew by 280-201 votes.
Italy has already defied the EU by bringing in its own law requiring retro-reflective markings, and Greece, Spain and France are said to be considering similar action.
But, rejecting Tory accusations the Government was ‘timid’, Dr Ladyman said Brussels was taking legal action against Italy. ‘We cannot move ahead without facing the same measures,’ he said.
The Government also rejected a new clause imposing six months’ imprisonment on motorists who failed to stop at railway level crossings. Following pressure from Network Rail, the Government has already amended the Bill to make councils responsible for roadside improvements at level crossings funded by Network Rail.
The Bill was given an unopposed Third Reading, completing its passage in the Commons. While the Tories did not oppose it, shadow transport minister, Owen Paterson, said it was a ‘missed opportunity’.

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