Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a zero-tolerance policy for drink driving for commercial drivers in England and Wales.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Government has no plans to lower the drink drive limit in England and Wales - this includes for commercial drivers. We believe that rigorous enforcement and serious penalties for drink drivers are a more effective deterrent than changing the drink driving limit.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to ensure that (a) Northern Ireland and (b) other parts of the UK benefit from transport infrastructure improvements.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
UK Government investment in projects such as HS2, electrification of the Great Western Main Line and the £350 million pledged for infrastructure as part of the Stormont House Agreement will benefit the UK.
In addition, the Devolution settlements provide the funding and the powers to enable the respective governments to decide on appropriate infrastructure investment in their administrations.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people died on the roads in each region in incidents where a driver was using a mobile telephone in each of the last three years.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department holds information on the number of personal-injury road traffic accidents where the attending police officer judged that a driver using a mobile telephone contributed to the accident. This includes both cases where 'hand held' and 'hands free' telephones were deemed to contribute to the accident. The table below provides the number of fatalities in road traffic accidents that were reported to the police in which at least one driver was allocated the contributory factor ‘driver using mobile phone’ by region for 2012 to 2014.
Fatalities in reported road accidents in which the contributory factor 'driver using mobile phone' was reported: GB, 2012-2014
Region | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
North East | 2 | 1 | 1 |
North West | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Yorkshire and the Humber | 2 | 5 | 1 |
East Midlands | 1 | 1 | 4 |
West Midlands | 2 | 2 | 0 |
East of England | 1 | 2 | 3 |
South East | 3 | 2 | 9 |
London | 1 | 0 | 1 |
South West | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Wales | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Scotland | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Total | 17 | 26 | 24 |
Note: Includes only casualties where a police officer attended the scene and in which a contributory factor was reported | |||
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to provide assistance to companies in training personnel to gain HGV qualifications.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for funding the Trailblazer apprenticeships programme and the industry is developing a standard for an HGV Driver apprenticeship. Funding for obtaining an HGV licence is not currently in scope of Trailblazers but this is under review. BIS will consider what the new funding model will be with the introduction of the new apprenticeship levy.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of HGV drivers in the UK relative to demand.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department recognises that there is a high demand for HGV drivers in the UK and that there is a shortage, manifesting itself in pressure on costs, delays to some deliveries and the recruitment of people from outside the UK.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to increase the number of HGV drivers.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department is working with its motoring services agencies to reduce times and delays in obtaining a driving test appointment and medical licence renewals.
Other government activity is helping jobseekers join the industry, retraining ex-military personnel and supporting apprenticeships.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the proposed timeframe is for rolling out his Department's £45 million investment in low-emission taxis.
Answered by Andrew Jones
In March 2015 the previous Government launched a £20m scheme to support the rollout of ultra-low emission taxis across the UK. In the first phase local authorities were invited to bid for feasibility studies to prepare for use of these taxis in their fleets, with bids due by 12 June 2015. Bids will be considered and the next phase of the scheme announced over the Summer.
A further £25 million was set aside specifically for the Greater London Area to help taxi drivers cover the cost of upgrading to a greener vehicle.
Our aim is for almost every car and van to be a zero emission vehicle by 2050. The transition to ultra-low emission taxis is especially important to help improve air quality in our towns and cities.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road deaths there have been in each of the last three years in England and Wales; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce such deaths.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The number of people killed in reported personal injury road accidents in England and Wales for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 is shown below.
Fatalities in reported road accidents: England and Wales, 2011-2013
| England | Wales | |
| 2011 | 1,594 | 121 |
| 2012 | 1,491 | 93 |
| 2013 | 1,430 | 111 |
This new government will be looking at the best ways to improve road safety during this Parliament and beyond.