Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans to respond to the Bus Services Act 2017: accessible information consultation.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a public consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain.
We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) British blue badge holders continue to receive the parking concessions that they are entitled to in EU and EFTA member states and (b) EU and EFTA members state citizens who hold blue badges continue to receive the parking concessions that they are entitled to in the UK in the event that the UK leaves the EU on or before 31 October 2019.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The Government is considering all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for the continued recognition of Blue Badges. Whilst we are confident of agreeing continued mutual recognition, as this would be in the interest of both the UK and the EU, the negotiation of the arrangements for our exit from the EU are ongoing and no decisions on this topic have yet been taken.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations Act to reduce the maximum glare permitted by automobile headlights.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Regulations are already in place to help prevent headlights from causing glare, and there are no plans to change national law.
Before vehicles can be sold or registered in the United Kingdom manufacturers must ensure compliance with international vehicle approval requirements, which include defined beam patterns and intensities to minimise the occurrence of glare. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibit the use of headlights that can cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users. Vehicle users have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are maintained correctly, and headlight aim is checked at the annual roadworthiness inspection (MOT test) to ensure it is within acceptable limits.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with the Cross Country train-operating company on overcrowding on its services; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
My officials meet regularly with Cross Country to discuss a range of issues including crowding on trains. Currently, there is no suitable rolling stock available that could be used on this franchise to alleviate the services which suffer overcrowding. We are, however, working with Cross Country to see what other opportunities might exist to reduce overcrowding.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission a report on the effect of driving with impaired vision on the safety of motorcyclists.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department has no current plans to commission a report on the effect of driving with impaired vision on the safety of motorcyclists.
All drivers and riders must be able to meet the required visual acuity and visual field standards, which includes being able to read a number plate from 20 metres. Drivers are also legally responsible for notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) at any time of a change in their health or vision which may affect their ability to meet the appropriate standards.
The Government fully supports the NHS’s recommendation that adults should have their eyes tested every two years. The DVLA has changed its driving licence application forms to highlight the importance of having regular eyesight tests. The photo card driving licence renewal letter that the DVLA sends to drivers has also been amended to include this important message.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's strategy is on (a) improving road safety and (b) decreasing motorcycle accident rates relating to drivers' impaired vision.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The British Road Safety Statement sets out the Government’s commitment to improve road safety and reduce the number of people killed or injured on the roads every year.
All drivers and riders must be able to meet the required visual acuity and visual field standards, which includes being able to read a number plate from 20 metres. Drivers are also legally responsible for notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) at any time of a change in their health or vision which may affect their ability to meet the appropriate standards.
The government fully supports the NHS’s recommendation that adults should have their eyes tested every two years. The DVLA has changed its driving licence application forms to highlight the importance of having regular eyesight tests. The photocard driving licence renewal letter the DVLA sends to drivers has also been amended to include this important message.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department’s “British Road Safety Statement” published in December 2015 sets out the Government’s commitment to actions that do support the UN Decade for Road Safety. This includes measures to improve safety and reduce deaths for vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. It also includes enhancing road infrastructure and encouraging improved learning and road behaviour. There are also actions on tackling mobile phone use whilst driving.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will commission an independent inquiry into aerotoxic syndrome.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Maintaining the safety record of UK aviation is something we take very seriously. That is why concerns raised about cabin air have been investigated at length over a number of years.
Following a recommendation in 2007 by the Committee on Toxicity (COT) – an independent committee of toxicology experts – the Department commissioned a series of scientific studies as part of a research programme into cabin air. The principal research study, carried out by Cranfield University, was published in 2011 and found that, with respect to the conditions of flight experienced during the cabin air sampling, there was no evidence for pollutants occurring at levels exceeding health and safety standards and guidelines. The Department for Transport currently has no plans to launch another independent inquiry into this matter.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that new standards within the updated driving examination meet health and safety requirements for (a) the applicant, (b) the driving instructor and (c) other road users.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) introduced the new practical driving test on 4 December 2017. The new elements of the test were trialled extensively.
The DVSA carried out a risk assessment of the new test in July 2017 and conducted further evaluations in September 2017, which did not identify any unacceptable risk.
It also commissioned an independent assessment of the test from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The RoSPA report concluded that all new parts of the driving test were low risk.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of ANPR equipment to monitor vehicle tax in rural areas.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) uses its own ANPR fleet to identify non-compliant vehicles in locations throughout the United Kingdom. The DVLA’s wheelclamping contractor also provides ANPR services which provide geographic coverage across every district in the UK. ANPR equipment is just one of a range of measures the DVLA utilise to tackle vehicle excise duty evasion.