26th June
Large Goods Vehicles
Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations the UK has made at a European level on the introduction of more rounded front designs of HGV lorry cabs to increase fuel efficiency.
Stephen Hammond: We have been involved in negotiations on the Commission’s proposal to amend the General Circulation Directive (maximum weights and dimensions) since they commenced in January, in which we have supported the proposals to enable the introduction of more rounded front designs of HGV lorry cabs to increase fuel efficiency.
Political agreement on the presidency text was reached in the Transport Council on 5 June.
More information available on the parliamentary website
25th June
A14
Mr Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicle accidents occurred on the A14 in each of the last 12 months.
Mr Goodwill: The numbers of reported personal injury motor vehicle accidents on the A14 for each of the 12 months in 2012 are given in the following table; by severity:
Data table available on the parliamentary website
Mr Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of how many motor vehicles have used the A14 in each of the last three years.
Mr Goodwill: The Department’s estimates of vehicle flows give the average number of vehicles per mile of the A14 on an average day of the year. Figures for the last three years are in the following table.
| Average daily number of vehicles per mile | |
| 2011 | 46,073 |
| 2012 | 46,013 |
| 2013 | 46,709 |
A428
Mr Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of how many motor vehicles have used the A428 in each of the last three years. [201631]
Mr Goodwill: The Department’s estimates of vehicle flows give the average number of vehicles per mile of the A428 on an average day of the year. Figures for the last three years are shown in the following table.
| Average daily number of vehicles per mile | |
| 2011 | 12,491 |
| 2012 | 12,476 |
| 2013 | 12,660 |
Mr Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles accidents have occurred on the A428 in each of the last 12 months.
Mr Goodwill: The numbers of reported personal injury motor vehicle accidents on the A428 in each of the 12 months in 2012 are given in the following table; by severity.
Data table available at the parliamentary website
Speed Limits: Cameras
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many average speed cameras are operating in each region and constituent part of the UK.
Mr Goodwill: In England, the Highways Agency has the following six average speed camera systems on its network:
M3 (Junction 2) (South East Region)
M3 (from the M25) (South East Region)
M25 (J12) (South East Region)
A14 (East of England)
A38 Saltash Tunnel (South West Region)
A3 Hindhead Tunnel (South East Region)
Average speed cameras are also used in road works as a temporary measure.
The Department for Transport does not hold this information for cameras on local authority roads. Local authorities have statutory duties related to road safety and decisions about whether they operate speed cameras are a matter for them.
This is a devolved matter so the Department does not hold information on average speed cameras in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics his Department has collected on the use of average speed cameras and their effectiveness in reducing (a) accidents and (b) fatal accidents.
Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport does not collect statistics on the use of average speed cameras on local roads.
The most recent evaluation of the effectiveness of safety cameras was carried out in the four-year evaluation report of the National Safety Camera Programme, published in 2005. This evaluation did not, however, specifically address average speed reduction cameras.
In England, since the National Safety Camera Programme ceased in 2007, evaluation of safety cameras on local roads has been for the individual safety camera partnerships, local authorities and police forces which operate the cameras.
The Highways Agency produces Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports for average speed camera systems on the Highways Agency network in England.
24th June
Driving
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent discussions his Department has had with the insurance industry on the behaviour and attitudes of novice drivers;
(2) what recent representations he has received about deaths of young people in traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will publish (a) details and (b) results of focus groups with parents, young people and employers about the behaviour and attitudes of novice drivers. [200668]
Mr Goodwill: The number of young people being killed on our roads is far too high and we are determined to tackle this issue. It is an issue which, understandably, features prominently in the range of representations which we receive about road safety generally.
As part of our consideration of the way forward, we met the insurance industry on 27 January 2014 to discuss novice drivers and, in particular, our proposed research into the role which telematics can play in changing the behaviours and attitudes of new drivers. My officials regularly talk to the insurance industry and current discussions are aimed at encouraging participation in the research project before we can get it under way. We will publish the results of the research when they are available.
We will also publish the findings of the focus groups comprising parents, young people and employers which we undertook in order to get a better understanding of the issues from their perspective.
Motor Vehicles: Testing
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the EU Roadworthiness Directive on the owners of historic vehicles in the UK.
Stephen Hammond: The Department will shortly start seeking views and evidence from interested organisations, individuals and the devolved Administrations on the best way to implement the new rules in directive 2014/45/EU relating to historic vehicles. We will seek to minimise burdens while supporting road safety. Any changes need not come in to force in domestic legislation until May 2018.
Information available on the parliamentary website
23rd June
Large Goods Vehicle Drivers
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to provide training for drivers of heavy goods vehicles to increase awareness of the dangers faced by cyclists.
Stephen Hammond: In addition to licence acquisition tests which require drivers to demonstrate knowledge of vulnerable road users, the EU mandated Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requires drivers of heavy goods vehicles to carry out five days of further training in every five-year period. Within the confines of the directive, we would encourage drivers and employers to select the training which best meets their needs, which may be a course on vulnerable road users.
We welcome initiatives such as ‘Exchanging Places’ events where cyclists and drivers of HGVs and buses get to experience the others’ perspective, and encourage local authorities to consider such activities which can improve road sharing.
