To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were killed or seriously injured in the 37 road accidents in 2008 where lorries were involved and which might have been avoided if retro-reflective conspicuity markings had been provided; and what is the estimated cost of those accidents. [HL5926]

These 37 accidents involved heavy goods vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or above. Retro-reflective tape, had it been fitted, might have avoided or mitigated the accidents. More detailed study of the individual cases would be needed to quantify the potential effectiveness of the tape in each case.

Immediate implementation of the retro-reflective tape requirements would not prevent all such accidents. It will be some years before all relevant heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are so fitted, and although fitment is expected to reduce side/rear HGV impact accidents involving poor conspicuity, there are many other contributory causes which it cannot address. These include excess speed, drink-driving, ice, mechanical failure, driving while tired, driver distraction etc.

The accidents resulted in 48 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. Using average values—not actual costs but an estimate of savings that might have been obtained had such accidents and injuries been prevented—the total cost can be estimated at £70 million.