See-and-be-seen scepticism
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From our political correspondent THE NEW "see and be seen" rules for drivers in poor daytime visibility which come in from March 23, have been greeted with some scepticism in road haulage circles.
There are doubts about the wisdom of the Government's decision to legislate on a matter which is basically one for individual judgment.
Transport organizations in discussions about the new Order — the Road Vehicles (Use of Lights During Daytime) Regulations 1975 (Statutory Instrument 245/ 1975, price 4p) — suggested to Transport Minister Mr Mulley that the objective could have been better achieved by exhortation rather than legislation.
The Minister disagreed, although the new Regulation is being prefaced by a substantial national press advertising campaign.
The Order defines "poor visibility conditions" as those "adversely affecting visibility (whether consisting of, or including, fog, smoke, heavy rain or spray, snow, dense cloud or any similar condition) as seriously reduce the ability of the driver (after the appropriate use by him any windscreen wiper a washer) to see other vehic or persons on the road, the ability of other users the road to see the vehick An FTA spokesman sl the operation of the on would be closely watched ensure that it was enforced unreasonably.
The Confederation British Road Passem Transport were able persuade Mr Mulley amend the original dr order to allow buses fi used before October 1, 19, to continue to operate poor daytime visibility w one fog lamp.