Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to exempt small not-for-profit community groups from proposed additional licensing and vehicle testing conditions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Department’s consultation on how Regulation 1071/2009 applies to permits under the Transport Act 1985 has now closed and over 500 responses have been received. The Department will analyse the responses fully and provide a summary response before summer recess. The consultation included a potential exemption relating to operators that may have minimal impact owing to the short distances involved.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 February 2018 to Question 125445, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of accidents in which poor eyesight is a contributory factor.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
All drivers 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’ recommendation that adults should have their eyes tested every two years. The DVLA is carrying out an online awareness campaign highlighting the importance of good vision for safe driving. Also, in 2016, the DVLA 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 is also being amended to include this important message.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in how many road traffic accidents poor driver eyesight was a significant contributory factor in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The table below shows the number of accidents in which the contributory factor of uncorrected, defective eyesight was reported, by accident severity, in Great Britain for the years 2012 to 2016.
Number of accidents where a contributory factor of uncorrected, defective eyesight was attributed to the accident | |||||
Year | Fatal | Serious | Slight | Total | Percentage of all reported accidents |
2012 | 6 | 59 | 186 | 251 | 0.2% |
2013 | 9 | 51 | 182 | 242 | 0.2% |
2014 | 9 | 56 | 195 | 260 | 0.2% |
2015 | 10 | 48 | 174 | 232 | 0.2% |
2016 | 7 | 57 | 129 | 193 | 0.2% |
Source: DfT STATS19
Please note that not all accidents are included in the contributory factor data. Only accidents where the police attended the scene and reported at least one contributory factor are included. A total of 73% of accidents reported to the police in 2016 met these criteria.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Cycle Racing on The Highway Regulations 1960 to include sportives; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has no plans to amend these Regulations. As part of the cycle safety review announced on 21 September, the Government will be considering whether the current legislation as to reckless cycling is appropriate, as well as different ways in which safety can be further improved between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. If in the light of this Government considers that these Regulations require any amendment, any proposed changes will be consulted upon.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's response to its consultation on proposed changes to the laws governing powered mobility scooters, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing compulsory third-party insurance cover; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Users of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are not required to take out compulsory third-party insurance cover. However, the Government recommends that users take out a third-party insurance policy.
A compulsory insurance regime has the potential to penalize older or disabled people unfairly. There is currently no reliable evidence to show that the use of mobility vehicles creates a major public safety issue.