Road Safety Bill [HL]

This is another amendment that seems to argue that it is safer to go faster. We have no   statistics to back that up, but it appears that frustration builds up to such a high level among car drivers that they kill themselves overtaking. With the speed of approach of two vehicles when one is coming the other way, it is very serious, but it seems that it is less serious if drivers can go faster. The statistics produced by the Department for Transport show that poor overtaking in those circumstances is implicated in only 4 per cent of fatal crashes, while excessive speed is a factor in 28 per cent of such incidents. Lorries are heavy, but most modern lorries are extremely efficient, and are driven by professional drivers. The same cannot be said for many motorists. Even so, in 2003 the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres from HGVs was 90 per cent higher than for cars over the same distance. On rural A roads it was 30 per cent higher; on other rural roads it was 46 per cent higher. Compliance with speed limits is even worse—72 per cent of HGVs exceed the 40 mph speed limit. Therefore, nearly three-quarters of HGVs exceed the speed limit. The same argument is used for motorways: increase the speed limit and everybody will be happy. However, the statistics do not bear that out. The best thing for a frustrated motorist to do is to stop and have a cup of coffee or take a tranquiliser. If motorists are feeling that frustrated they should not be driving. Lorries have just as much right to be on the road as cars. Perhaps the alternative solution is to reduce the speed limit for cars and everybody will be going at the same speed.