seat belts & the law...

MJK

MJK

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I had no seat belts in the back and only two seats in the front.... my lad wanted to sit up front and the wife didn't want to sit in the back.... oh no.... so I have put a twin seat in the front, problem is the middle seat only has a lap belt... better than no belt, but is it legal and csn either of them sit in the centre????
 
It is common to only save a lap belt on the middle seat and it is perfectly legal but how old is your Son, under a certain age he has no choice because lapbelts are only considered safe for Adult passengers so that needs to be taken into consideration
 
i think the anser is yes ,no belts also required in back if built after 2001 but i have 3 point belts in all six seats ,safety first for me.
 
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Thanks my lad is 13 so not an adult. .. the wife will have to sit next to me.... lol... best I adjust the lap belt.... thanks. .
 
Hope she ain't watching you type otherwise you'll find yourself waking with bruises :)
 
Thanks all for comments and input.....
I feel better we are all now strapped in. I do intend to change lap belt for a 3 point belt...
It took me a while to source a twin seat as it is an old van....

Many thanks again.
 
trevskoda said:
h way code is aa guide only,construction and use states c/vans built before 2001 dont require belts in the back but do in the front and a lap belt will be ok though i dont like them.
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A guide only? Where it says MUST or MUST NOT, it's the law, and lists the relevant law at the end of the paragraph. Also, as I'm sure you're aware, the Highway Code can be relied upon in Court to establish or negate liability.
 
Steve121 said:
A guide only? Where it says MUST or MUST NOT, it's the law, and lists the relevant law at the end of the paragraph. Also, as I'm sure you're aware, the Highway Code can be relied upon in Court to establish or negate liability.
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yes there are some mention of laws in highway code,but you will find as i have found its the road traffic act thats law and that is what is used in court not the highway code,wish it were that simple.
take for instance the rules on parking in the h/code ,they dont tell you about the road trafic act on what size and end marker bars on yellow lines to which some good barristers have got people off in court,as i said its only a guide and not a complete rule book.i have the belt regulations on my pc but not being that good i cant get them on here but it states 3 point belts for driver and pasenger and a lap belt for midle seat providing the persons head cant strike the windshield.up to 2001 no belts required in back after that all seats must be belted 3 points.
 
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trevskoda said:
yes there are some mention of laws in highway code,but you will find as i have found its the road traffic act thats law and that is what is used in court not the highway code,wish it were that simple.
take for instance the rules on parking in the h/code ,they dont tell you about the road trafic act on what size and end marker bars on yellow lines to which some good barristers have got people off in court,as i said its only a guide and not a complete rule book.i have the belt regulations on my pc but not being that good i cant get them on here but it states 3 point belts for driver and pasenger and a lap belt for midle seat providing the persons head cant strike the windshield.up to 2001 no belts required in back after that all seats must be belted 3 points.
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Not so I am afraid.

I had a 56 reg Elddis which was a 4 Berth and it only had lap belts for the rear passengers (which were also sideways facing seats). It was a new van, so was perfectly legal.

I am not certain but I think it was 2007 that new regulations came into force regarding 3 point belts. That is because 07 models exactly the same as mine were suddenly advertised as 2 Berth instead of 4.
 
The driver's duty of care towards any and all passengers makes it mandatory to have all passengers properly strapped in. End of argument.
 
maingate said:
Not so I am afraid.

I had a 56 reg Elddis which was a 4 Berth and it only had lap belts for the rear passengers (which were also sideways facing seats). It was a new van, so was perfectly legal.

I am not certain but I think it was 2007 that new regulations came into force regarding 3 point belts. That is because 07 models exactly the same as mine were suddenly advertised as 2 Berth instead of 4.
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seems a bit of confusion here ,what im reading of the net states 3 point belts after 2001 side seats banned after 2007 rearward seats with lap belts ok.:rolleyes2:
 
At the end of the day I put peoples safety first and fit belts or refuse to carry passengers as appropriate. This also tends to keep one one the right side of the law.
 
seat belts & the law...

I looked into this with my Landriver defender as it has the option if a middle seat but only a lap belt . I spoke to various police officers all gave me different views . Their was a theme that if it was fitted as the manafaturer intended it's fine as mine was as it a 1989 . Thing to remember us are ppl informing thier insurance company as in effect if you are changing a seat to another type bit in the vehicle range it's in effect a modification
 
untill oct 2007 motor homes were exempt seat belts in the rear . and still donmt require them if registered before then . its up to you if you want to or not . peopler sat down shouldnt be a problem . we dont wear seatbelts on buses etc .
you decide if you think its safe or not . but pre 2007 its not against the laws to not wear in the rear of a camper.
 
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