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Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1

These Regulations further amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 in relation to seat belts and anchorages.

2

Paragraph (7) of regulation 47 of the 1986 Regulations previously required seat belts fitted to certain motor vehicles to bear a mark indicating that they were of a type which had been approved as complying with certain European standards. However, in the case of any seat belt fitted to a vehicle first used before the 1st April 1981 or a child restraint, it could instead bear a mark indicating that it had been approved as complying with various British Standards or that it complied with the requirements of a corresponding standard. These Regulations amend paragraph (7) so that all seat belts to which the paragraph applies have the option of bearing a mark indicating that they have been approved as complying with one of the British Standards or that they comply with the requirements of a corresponding standard.

3

The new provisions that authorise seat belts bearing a mark that indicates compliance with a corresponding standard are inserted in discharge of obligations under Article 30 of the Treaty of Rome.

4

These Regulations also insert a new regulation 48A. It prohibits the use of a coach or a minibus for the purpose of carrying a group of three or more children in connection with an organised trip unless at least as many forward-facing passenger seats as there are children are fitted with seat belts. A disabled child in a wheelchair is disregarded for this purpose. For the purposes of the regulation a “child” is a person who is aged 3 years or more but is under the age of 16 years.

5

The new regulation 48A of the 1986 Regulations does not apply to a vehicle providing a transport service for the general public.

6

Compliance cost assessments have been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Department of Transport, Zone 2/08, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (Telephone 0171 – 271 – 4662). Copies are being placed in the Libraries of each House of Parliament.