Not wearing a seatbelt...

[scared but happy]

in a supermarket carpark.
Is it ok? As I heard that its private land and not part of the queens highway or is this an old wifes tale?

[r5gttgaz]

I've had a rollocking off the plod for not wearing a seatbelt, it was in a supermarket car park.

However if you have an accident the site is classed as private property?

[scared but happy]

Well I did get the deathstare.

[Balmoral Green]

AFAIK, the traffic laws apply to any road to which the general public have access, like car parks, retail parks etc, the drives up to stately homes, all of that sort of thing. Private drives and racetracks excluded.

[vonhosen]

A road, for the purposes of the road traffic act, will include car parks.

[catso]

It would take a pretty 'Anal' plod to actually nick you for it, IMHO.......

[7db]

Providing the public have normal access to them. For example, the carpark at Curburough, when you have locked the gate, and are having a private session is not a road for RTA purposes. But on an open day when the public can attend it is.

[Deltafox]

Wear it, its for your protection as well as everyone elses.

Wouldnt want you flying through your screen and landing on me now would you? Oh i see, you would!

[jasandjules]

Why would you not wear a seat belt?

IME it is the middle aged lady in her 4*4 who is most unobservant whilst patrolling Tescos finest tarmac looking for a space.

And it will be public highway if there is no barrier entry/paid entry as well IIRC.

[Dino D]

Always put your seatbelt on even before starting the engine. If you don't I'm sure your 20k claim for whiplash from the 'no win no fee' companies might be reduced because you didn't take adequate measures to protect yourself.

[Plotloss]

Balmoral Green said:

AFAIK, the traffic laws apply to any road to which the general public have access, like car parks, retail parks etc, the drives up to stately homes, all of that sort of thing. Private drives and racetracks excluded.

Anywhere you can reasonably expect the public to be.

[mmm-five]

If the seatbelt is so important to safety, why do half the plod not bother wearing theirs? Does the stab vest make the belt redundant or are they just fückwits?

(yes that last question was rhetorical)

[tigger1]

I often roll over to the petrol pumps at the supermarket without a belt on...the beeping from the sensor drives me mad! I'm only doing 10mph ffs!

[7db]

mungo said:

vonhosen said:

A road, for the purposes of the road traffic act, will include car parks.

There is however an allowance in the law for the removal of seat belts for parking manouvers

Only parking manoeuvres involving reverse.

Similarly local delivery vehicles and I think licenced Taxi drivers are exempted.

[catso]

mungo said:

Many reasons... mostly with regard to needing to move from the seat quickly. If you need to exit the car quickly the seatbelt gets tangled in your handcuffs / radio / body armour etc and gets in the way ... not good when you have to jump out of the car to run after someone who is making a distance on you whilst your still fumbling trying to get your seat belt off your handcuffs etc

Also not good when some random nutter is attacking your vehicle whilst static and you need to exit quickly to sort them out (as has happened to me on one occasion)

Aah so that's why the 2 Cops in the back seat of a plod car weren't wearing them at 90mph in the outside lane of the M6 the other day - in case they needed to 'jump' out

[jvaughan]

mungo said:

Also not good when some random nutter is attacking your vehicle whilst static and you need to exit quickly to sort them out (as has happened to me on one occasion)

Edited by mungo on Tuesday 27th June 12:44

Randon Nutter Mungo, or an ex girlfriend ?

[Flat in Fifth]

7db said:

mungo said:

vonhosen said:

A road, for the purposes of the road traffic act, will include car parks.

There is however an allowance in the law for the removal of seat belts for parking manouvers

Only parking manoeuvres involving reverse.

Similarly local delivery vehicles and I think licenced Taxi drivers are exempted.

Re local delivery it depends.

As an example the milkman would be exempt whilst on his round, i.e. stopping every few doors, but a local multi drop delivery e.g. mail order shopping (drive half a mile between drops) not exempt is how I see it.

[Plotloss]

The legislation provides for a number of specific exemptions from the seat belt wearing requirements on medical and other grounds. Please consult your doctor if you think you should not wear a seat belt on medical grounds.
As for the others these include:-

"(b) the driver of or a passenger in a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for carrying goods, while on a journey which does not exceed 50 metres and which is undertaken for the purpose of delivering or collecting any thing;

(c) a person driving a vehicle while performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;

(d) a qualified driver (within the meaning given by regulation 9 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987) who is supervising the holder of a provisional licence (within the meaning of Part III of the Act) while that holder is performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;

(e) a person by whom, as provided in the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987, a test of competence to drive is being conducted and his wearing a seat belt would endanger himself or any other person;

(f) a person driving or riding in a vehicle while it is being used for fire brigade or police purposes or for carrying a person in lawful custody (a person who is being so carried being included in this exemption);

(g) the driver of—
(i) a licensed taxi while it is being used for seeking hire, or answering a call for hire, or carrying a passenger for hire, or
(ii) a private hire vehicle while it is being used to carry a passenger for hire;

(h) a person riding in a vehicle, being used under a trade licence, for the purpose of investigating or remedying a mechanical fault in the vehicle;

(j) a disabled person who is wearing a disabled person's belt; or

(k) a person riding in a vehicle while it is taking part in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown."

[scared but happy]

^^^ Very good but it did not answer the original question but I think a public area seems to come into play here although I still think this sounds like a gray area.

tigger1 said:

I often roll over to the petrol pumps at the supermarket without a belt on...the beeping from the sensor drives me mad! I'm only doing 10mph ffs!

Do you have a Scenic?

[Hamster]

tigger1 said:

I often roll over to the petrol pumps at the supermarket without a belt on...the beeping from the sensor drives me mad! I'm only doing 10mph ffs!

If you look in your handbook, or ask a freindly dealer you will probably be able to de-activate it. So they can sell to folks in countries who are more relaxed and liberal.

I got a telling off from some Welsh BiB driving between Tesco's car park and filling station in Bangor, I think he was upset he couldn't nick me for speeding. Oh well that's North Wales Police for you, won't be going there again...........

If you tell me the model car you have I'll find out how to silence the belt warning for you.

H