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Road Safety Bill [Lords]

I am aware of that problem, which was raised with me on a recent visit to Nuneaton; it is a problem in Greater Manchester, too. I have looked into it and, as ever with such things, the situation is complex, although more can be done to deal with it. Because mini motor cycles do not comply with construction and use regulations, they cannot be registered as road vehicles such as motor bikes, and thus are not allowed on the roads. As a result, the police have power under existing law to deal with anyone who drives a moto on the road or pavement, or in a public place. Motos are supposed to be used only on private land with the owner’s permission. However, I am aware that police forces in different parts of the country take different views of what they can or cannot do, in terms of warnings and so on. We need to look into the matter. There is no doubt that those machines, some of which can go at 30 or 40 mph if not more, ridden by people who should not be driving anything on the road, let alone a moto, have the potential to cause immense damage, if not death. It is important that we are absolutely clear about the law. As I understand it, the law says that those vehicles are not allowed on the highway, which includes the pavements, so if a police officer finds someone driving one there, they have the power both to arrest the individual and to remove the machine. If the law lacks clarity or if there is any impediment, we should look into that before something serious happens. My hon. Friend has my assurance that we will look into the problem. It may be possible to do something during the passage of the Bill, but this may simply be a matter of making it clear to the police that there are already powers and that they should use them. If that is not the case, I should like to know what the problem is. There is no doubt that those machines are a source of irritation., and anyone buying one and putting a child on it is grossly irresponsible. I want to put the Bill into context before I come to particular proposals. Some people will say that we can do more, which is undoubtedly true, but it is worth bearing it in mind that despite everything that we have done, today—as every day—nearly nine people in this country will be killed on our roads. None the less, along with the Netherlands and Sweden, we have one of the best safety records in the world. Nearly six years ago, in March 2000, we set out plans to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 40 per cent. by 2010, and by 50 per cent. among children. The latest figures, for 2004, showed that the number of people killed or seriously injured had fallen by 28 per cent.—about 13,000 fewer casualties each year than in the mid-1990s, which is significant and more than halfway towards our target. The number of children killed or seriously injured has been cut by 43 per cent., which is three quarters of the way towards our target of a 50 per cent. reduction, but as the House is aware, too many children are being killed. Furthermore, there are large regional variations, which are of special concern.