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Light Vans

Volume 83: debated on Thursday 25 July 1985

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asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate, for light vans and their derivatives, including minibuses and motor-caravans, but excluding car-derived vans, under 1·52 tonnes unladen weight (a) the number and severity of casualties in such vehicles for the last year where information is available, (b) seat belt wearing rates for front seat occupants in such vehicles, including wearing rates in accidents and (c) the crash-protection standards which apply to such vehicles other than those applying to front seat belts; and if he has any plans to introduce national regulations to improve the protection of occupants in such vehicles in the event of a collision.

(a) The number and severity of casualties of occupants of all types of light vans, including car—derived vans, for the last year figures are available (1983) was 102 killed, 1,447 seriously injured and 5,372 slightly injured. The majority of these casualties probably occurred in car — derived vans, but no separate information is collected. I will provide figures for minibuses and motor caravans as soon as possible.

(b) The seat belt wearing rates of front seat occupants of light vans, including car — derived vans, in 1983 were—drivers 81 per cent., passengers 83 per cent. The data for wearing rates in light van accidents are incomplete, but the indications are that they are probably similar. The wearing rates of front seat occupants of minibuses and motor caravans have not been separately recorded.

(c) The crash protection requirements for cars do not apply to the great majority of the vehicles in question. However, some crash protection features might be usefully incorporated in the design of these vehicles, and I will consider what might be done.