Stupid question for Plod
Author
Discussion

thinfourth

Original Poster:

1,189 posts

251 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
If i was to drive/fly a hovercraft along a road at above the speed limit what would the offence be?

Baring in mind its not on the road but about 3 inchs above the road

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

274 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
Speeding of course followed by a whole string of other offences no doubt.

Why?

Cos of Road Traffic Act 1988:

Sect 188.—(1) For the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts, a hovercraft within the meaning of the [1968 c. 59.] Hovercraft Act 1968 (in this section referred to as a hover vehicle)—
(a) is a motor vehicle, whether or not it is intended or adapted for use on roads, but
(b) apart from that is to be treated, subject to subsection (2) below, as not being a vehicle of any of the classes defined in section 185 of this Act.
(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide—
(a) that any provisions of this Act which would otherwise apply to hover vehicles shall not apply to them or shall apply to them subject to such modifications as may be specified in the regulations, or
(b) that any such provision which would not otherwise apply to hover vehicles shall apply to them subject to such modifications (if any) as may be specified in the regulations.

dvd


Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Friday 19th January 08:23

Einion Yrth

19,575 posts

274 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
Well since there is absolutely no way that a hovercraft would receive approval for use on road your speed would be the least of your worries.

tigger1

8,477 posts

251 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
I think a hovercraft is missing a few essentials to get it through the required VOSA testing: -

*brakes
*lights
*seatbelts?
*seats?

Might cause a few problems. Would be funny watching council / police trying to clamp / tow it though.

Andrew D

968 posts

270 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
Well, apparently they use them in NYC. There was one in Rumble in the Bronx! Or perhaps they're only allowed for polishing hideous gold Lamborghini Countachs.

7db

6,060 posts

260 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
The same applies to the Sherman tank (thanks Kenny Everett)

kenp

654 posts

278 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
tigger1 said:
I think a hovercraft is missing a few essentials to get it through the required VOSA testing: -

*brakes
*lights
*seatbelts?
*seats?

Might cause a few problems. Would be funny watching council / police trying to clamp / tow it though.


VOSA is for motor vehicles. The whole point of the question is that a hovercraft is not a motor vehicle per se.
A horse would fail your VOSA test, but can frequently be seen on the road.

tigger1

8,477 posts

251 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
Fair enough - would I be ok if my hovercraft is full of eels?

james f

897 posts

243 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
thank you for making a dull morning amusing

ThePassenger

6,962 posts

265 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
tigger1 said:
Fair enough - would I be ok if my hovercraft is full of eels?



Eels in a hovercraft? I think I've just had an idea of a movie.

moosepig

1,306 posts

271 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
ThePassenger said:
Eels in a hovercraft? I think I've just had an idea of a movie.

rofl

andmole

1,594 posts

241 months

Friday 19th January 2007
quotequote all
tigger1 said:
Fair enough - would I be ok if my hovercraft is full of eels?



I don't know what you've been drinking, but I'll have a pintdrink

streaky

19,311 posts

279 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
thinfourth said:
If i was to drive/fly a hovercraft along a road at above the speed limit what would the offence be?

Baring in mind its not on the road but about 3 inchs above the road
If it's a military hovercraft, S51 of the Air Force Act 1955, otherwise, Rule 5 (1) of the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996 as amended 2005 - Streaky

PS - to avoid the need to look these up, they relate to low flying - S

thinfourth

Original Poster:

1,189 posts

251 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
You guys just know far too much about hovercraft regulations

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

274 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
Ah the Air Force Act 1955.........sighs. Happy days Streaky as a snowdrop banging 252's in with this as the authority for the breach......

Alas no more as law applying to RAF, Army and Navy now consolidated in the Armed Services Act 2006.

(www.tinyurl.com/yz8n6x)

dvd

Flat in Fifth

48,913 posts

281 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
And it's nowt to do with the CAA anymore.....

The Civil Aviation Authority (Hovercraft) (Revocation) Regulations 1996

Knowing this lot and joined up Govt probably find that the responsibility has been devolved from Sec of State to Maritime and Coastguard Agency, so you'd end up getting nicked for blatting along the M40 in your hovercraft by Thames Division, oops smack my wrist Marine Support Unit harrrrrrr there me hearties!

Not too seriously as usual,

FiF

spokey

2,246 posts

239 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
[redacted]

xxplod

2,269 posts

274 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
I've seen a hovercraft on a road!

Well, alright they did close the barriers at HMS Deadaulus to allow them to cross the road.