asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will issue advice to road users regarding the use of coloured warning lights and other high conspicuity markings that in normal use breach the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (SI 1989/1796).[HL467]
The Government have no plans to issue general advice on the use of special warning lights and conspicuity aids. However, the Highways Agency has produced a code of practice on the self-escorting of abnormal loads or abnormal vehicles (which includes sections on lamps and conspicuity markings), and the Highway Code (Rules 194 and 200) includes advice about emergency vehicles and flashing blue, red or green lights, and about the use of flashing amber lights.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the proliferation of warning beacons or lamps and other high conspicuity markings being used on road vehicles in breach of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (SI 1989/1796), in particular those fitted to abnormal loads, abnormal-load escort vehicles and recovery vehicles.[HL468]
The Government are not aware of any proliferation of the use of lights or other conspicuity aids in breach of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (RVLR) 1989 as amended. Government policies, and the RVLR, restrict special warning beacons and high-conspicuity markings to specific definitions of vehicles and uses—for example, vehicles used for emergency or abnormal-load escort purposes—so as to avoid undermining their impact and effectiveness. Use of such beacons and markings in breach of the RVLR is a matter for enforcement by the police.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which organisations applied for permission to use lamps or other high-conspicuity markings normally prohibited from use by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (SI 1989/1796) in each of the years 2000 to 2006; and, for each of those organisations, when the permissions will expire.[HL469]
The Department for Transport receives many applications every year from organisations seeking permission to use lamps or other high-conspicuity markings normally prohibited from use by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended (RVLR). Many are refused permission. Government policy is to avoid proliferation of these aids in order to maintain their impact and effectiveness. Where such permission is granted, the organisation concerned is issued with a special order. Some orders granted have changed over time as amendments have been made to the RVLR.
The following table summarises the special orders granted, and those expiring, in each of the years 2000 to 2006. A more detailed table, giving the names of each organisation and the coming into force and expiry dates of each order, has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Year No. Granted No. Expired 2000 3 3 2001 6 6 2002 8 8 2003 9 8 2004 52 52 2005 37 37 2006 7 3
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many warning lights and high-conspicuity markings permitted in circumstances specified by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (SI 1989/1796) are used regularly on road vehicles; and whether they have made an assessment of the potential for these markings to cause confusion to other road users.[HL470]
No count is made of the number of vehicles permitted to use these aids, but lawful use is restricted according to requirements specified in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (RVLR) 1989 as amended, with occasional special orders to meet particular requirements (for example, for Highways Agency traffic officer vehicles). The aim is to avoid unnecessary proliferation of these aids, which could undermine their impact and effectiveness. We have not made any specific assessment of potential confusion caused to other road users by such aids; however, assessments have previously been made that demonstrate the conspicuity benefit of these lights and markings for high-risk and/or emergency vehicles.