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Road Safety [HL]

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his last point about that word, which I do not intend to repeat! But I accept his point. He says that there should be pressure for voluntary compliance. Some vehicles are fitted with that tape—and it is permitted for people to do so. We have made it clear throughout the passage of this Bill—and we have been aided by the opposition parties, which have stressed their commitment to the concept—that we see reflective tape as an aid to road safety. It is not quite the outstanding aid that it may have been in the United States, when it proved in many cases to be the only way in which to make vehicles conspicuous on American roads. Of course, British vehicles are differently and better equipped than those in the United States. Nevertheless, the strip will be an aid, and we intend to make it mandatory, as soon as we have agreement throughout Europe, which is bound to be an incentive to manufacturers of vehicles to start considering whether they should put it on immediately. It does not add a huge amount to the cost of a new truck, as the noble Earl, Lord Attlee, said last time we debated this matter. We would expect manufacturers to recognise that in due course it will be a requirement. We do not think the issue is sufficient to collide with our European partners in quite the dramatic way that might have been the result of us acting unilaterally. On Question, Motion agreed to. 6: Clause 20, page 24, line 36, column 4, leave out ““the statutory maximum”” and insert ““12 months (in England and Wales) or six months (in Scotland) or the statutory maximum, or both”” The Lords disagree with Commons Amendment No. 6 for the following reason- 6A: Because it is not appropriate to provide for a custodial sentence for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving The Commons insist on Amendment No.6 for the following reason - 6B: Because it is undesirable for a custodial sentence not to be available on summary conviction of the offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving