Seatbelts (1 Viewer)

[dannyaspect34]

Hi
So I have brought an autotrail chieftain 2010
So am I legally allowed to carry passengers in the back without seatbelts it has the bench seats no forward facing seats

been told yes been told no gov.uk seem to be very wishy washy about it all

 

[beamrider66]

It's do do with "Regulation 100". The newer vans will have the number of passengers they were designed for specified and so this is the law you would be in breach of if you exceed this.

 

[beamrider66]

Hi
So I have brought an autotrail chieftain 2010
So am I legally allowed to carry passengers in the back without seatbelts it has the bench seats no forward facing seats

been told yes been told no gov.uk seem to be very wishy washy about it all

The prohibition of using side-facing seats for passengers in vans registered after 2007 is rooted in a combination of European and UK regulations designed to enhance vehicle safety standards. Here’s how these laws are interconnected and the implications for enforcement:

Legal Framework​

1. European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA):
   • Directive 2001/85/EC and UNECE Regulation 107: These regulations mandate safety requirements for vehicles used for passenger transport. Specifically, they prohibit the use of side-facing seats in new motor vehicles (M1 category) from 20 October 2007. These standards were adopted to ensure that all designated travel seats are either forward or rearward-facing, providing better protection in the event of a collision.
2. UK Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended):
   • Regulation 100: Requires that vehicles and all their parts and accessories, including seats and seat belts, must be in a condition that does not cause danger to any person in or on the vehicle. This regulation aligns with the European directives, ensuring that post-2007 vehicles comply with the new safety standards.
3. The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006:
   • This amendment enforces the use of seat belts in designated travel seats, impacting the legality of side-facing seats without proper restraints. From May 2009, it became mandatory for all designated travel seats to have appropriate seat belts, effectively rendering the use of side-facing seats illegal in newly registered vehicles.

Enforcement and Penalties​

• Driver Responsibility: Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 40A, the driver is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is used in a manner that does not pose danger. If a vehicle is found to be carrying passengers in side-facing seats post-2007 registration, the driver could be held liable for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
• Penalties: Non-compliance with these regulations can result in penalties, including fines. Specifically, failure to ensure that passengers are in designated travel seats with proper restraints could lead to a fine of up to £500. Additionally, the vehicle's insurance might be invalidated if passengers are not seated in accordance with the safety regulations.

Summary​

The integration of European and UK laws ensures that side-facing seats are not used in vans registered post-2007 due to the significant safety risks. The enforcement of these regulations primarily targets the vehicle driver, who is responsible for the safe transportation of all passengers. Penalties include fines and potential issues with insurance coverage, emphasizing the importance of compliance with these safety standards.

 

[CAB96]

The prohibition of using side-facing seats for passengers in vans registered after 2007 is rooted in a combination of European and UK regulations designed to enhance vehicle safety standards. Here’s how these laws are interconnected and the implications for enforcement:

Legal Framework​

1. European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA):
   • Directive 2001/85/EC and UNECE Regulation 107: These regulations mandate safety requirements for vehicles used for passenger transport. Specifically, they prohibit the use of side-facing seats in new motor vehicles (M1 category) from 20 October 2007. These standards were adopted to ensure that all designated travel seats are either forward or rearward-facing, providing better protection in the event of a collision.
2. UK Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended):
   • Regulation 100: Requires that vehicles and all their parts and accessories, including seats and seat belts, must be in a condition that does not cause danger to any person in or on the vehicle. This regulation aligns with the European directives, ensuring that post-2007 vehicles comply with the new safety standards.
3. The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006:
   • This amendment enforces the use of seat belts in designated travel seats, impacting the legality of side-facing seats without proper restraints. From May 2009, it became mandatory for all designated travel seats to have appropriate seat belts, effectively rendering the use of side-facing seats illegal in newly registered vehicles.

Enforcement and Penalties​

• Driver Responsibility: Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 40A, the driver is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is used in a manner that does not pose danger. If a vehicle is found to be carrying passengers in side-facing seats post-2007 registration, the driver could be held liable for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
• Penalties: Non-compliance with these regulations can result in penalties, including fines. Specifically, failure to ensure that passengers are in designated travel seats with proper restraints could lead to a fine of up to £500. Additionally, the vehicle's insurance might be invalidated if passengers are not seated in accordance with the safety regulations.

Summary​

The integration of European and UK laws ensures that side-facing seats are not used in vans registered post-2007 due to the significant safety risks. The enforcement of these regulations primarily targets the vehicle driver, who is responsible for the safe transportation of all passengers. Penalties include fines and potential issues with insurance coverage, emphasizing the importance of compliance with these safety standards.

The Original Poster hasn't been back since they asked the question, so won't see your answer.

But anyway, welcome to the forum.