RETRO-REFLECTIVE MARKINGS ON HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES

That this House believes that new measures are needed to reduce the disproportionate number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles, which are involved in 13 per cent. of all fatal road accidents in the United Kingdom, yet account for just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic; notes that a report commissioned by the Department for Transport concluded that there was a tangible cost benefit in making retro-reflective markings mandatory on newly registered heavy goods vehicles to increase conspicuity and reduce fatalities, and that a Government consultation found overwhelming support for introducing the measure; understands that the cost of fitting the material to such vehicles is £100, or 0.001 per cent. of the total vehicle cost; is concerned that the Vehicle Certification Agency's timetable will result in just 5 per cent. of newly registered vehicles being fitted with these markings in the 12 months from 10th October 2009, the date set for making the measure mandatory; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to ensure that all newly registered vehicles and their trailers are fitted with conspicuity markings from this date.