Written question asked by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 October 2006. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 23 October 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Road Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage riders of powered two-wheelers to make sure that they have adequate lighting on their bikes.

Answer: The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, as amended (RVLR) govern the use of lights on vehicles. The RVLR require that headlights are used at night and when visibility is seriously reduced, which is generally when the driver can not see for more than 100 metres. These requirements are also explained in the Highway Code.Enforcement of road traffic law is an operational matter for individual Chief Police Officers; their officers can issue verbal warnings, fixed penalty notices or report the motorcyclist for formal prosecution.Through the THINK! campaign we also provide advice to motorcyclists to help them to remain safe on the roads, including the line: ‘dipped headlights, even in good daylight, can help you to be seen.'Motorcyclists are aware of the benefits of increased conspicuity and often voluntarily make themselves more visible in daytime by using dipped beam headlamps. Since 2003 motorcycle manufacturers have voluntarily fitted devices to activate the headlamps automatically when the ignition is on, both in daytime and at night.

Secondary information