Lesson 7.2 Common Road Policing Offences Part 2 Flashcards
When can you examine a vehicle?
When do you contact Road Policing Department?
Whilst on routine duties when observing a vehicle that has an apparent defect regarding its roadworthiness and conducting a vehicle stop.
You should always contact the Road Policing Department of Trunks Road Policing if ever unsure about the roadworthiness of a vehicle, if its over 3500kg, a more detailed inspection is required, where there has been a serious road traffic collision where police decide to take the car to a contracted garage for a detailed examination,
Should the owner of a vehicle be present during an examination of their vehicle?
Can you seize a vehicle to do an examination?
Yes, if possible. They can also be shown any defect in and open manner.
Yes you can seize a vehicle as a production to carry out an examination.
What rights does section 67 of the RTA give?
gives power to an authorised examiner to examine a vehicle in order to ascertain whether the vehicle complies with:-
- The construction and use requirements
- The requirement that the vehicles condition would not cause danger or injury to any person
All Police Scotland staff are authorised under this section. No requirement to produce authorisation card.
What powers does Regulation 74 of the Roads Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 give in regard to seeing to a vehicle after a crash?
gives limited statutory power to examine a vehicle on premises within 48 hours of the crash. You don’t need vehicle owners permission to conduct an examination. You do need the consent of the owner of the premises before you enter and carry out the exam.
What are the laws in relation to defective tyres?
UNCLE T
Regulation 27
A person commits an offence if they use, or cause or permit to be used, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road if any of the tyres fitter to the vehicle have any of the follow defects:-
1) Unsuitable for the use
2) Not inflated
3) Cut deep enough to reach the ply or cord which exceeds 25mm or 10% of the width of the tyre.
4) Lump, bulge or tear
5) Tyre has any portion of the ply or cord exposed.
What are the tyre tread depths?
Motor cars, light trailers and good vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm
Throughout the continuous band in the central 3/4 of the breath of the tread
Around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Vehicles which do not fall into the category above, must have tyres which have all the tread pattern clearly visible
Have a minimum tread depth of 1mm throughout a continuous band which is at least 3/4 the breadth of the tread
Round the entire circumference.
NOTE
Caution should be given to new sports motorcycle tyres which may appear to not have a continuous band of tread over the entire width of the tyre, even when new - they are legal.
If in doubt contact specialist officers.
What are the laws in relation to Silencers and exhaust systems?
Regulation 54 (54 for sound!!!) creates an offence to use or cause or permit the use of any vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine on a road if:-
- The exhaust gases from the engine pass into the atmosphere before first passing through the required silencer or,
- The silencer and exhaust systems are not maintained in good and efficient working order, or
- The silencer has been altered in a way that increases the noise made by the escaping exhaust gases
People do this time. Difficult to enforce legislation without assistance to measure the decibel level in controlled conditions.
What are the laws in relation to warning signals (HORNS)
Regulation 99
it is an offence for any person to cause or permit the warning instrument of a vehicle to be sounded if:-
- The vehicle is stationary on a road
- the vehicle is on a restricted road (built up area) between 2300 and 7000 hours
- the instrument consists of a bell, two tone horn or siren as used by emergency services.
None of the above apply if:
- in an emergency
- used by emergency services
- used as an anti theft device
- use by bus drivers or inspectors to summon help
What are the laws in relation to windscreen wipers and washers?
Reg 34 every vehicle fitted with a windscreen must be fitted with:-
- one or more efficient windscreen wipers
- capable of cleaning the windscreen to enable the driver to see clearly to the front, nearside and offside of the vehicle.
Also need a windscreen washer.
The following vehicles don’t need this:-
- Most agricultural vehicles
- Vehicles incapable of exceeding 20mph
- Vehicles used for local bus service
What are the laws in relation to maintaining vehicle lights?
And defences
Reg 23
Offence for any person to use, or cause or permit the use of any vehicle on a road unless all lamps and reflectors which are required to be fitted are kept clean and in working order
Defences:
- defect occurred during the journey
- the accused had already taken reasonable steps to have the fault rectified (e.g. parts needed for repair ordered)
what are the laws in relation to position of lamps?
and exemptions to this.
Reg 11
Creates an offence to use, or cause or permit the use of a vehicle on a road if the vehicle shows red light on the front and white light on the back.
ALWAYS have white lights on front
and red lights on the back
Exemptions:
- white light from reverse lights
- white light from registration lamp
- light from interior lamp
- lights on vehicle used by emergency services.
What are the laws in relation to use of headlamps?
Reg 25
Creates an offence for any person to use of cause or permit to be used, a vehicle in motion on a road during the hours of darkness or in seriously reduced visibility, without headlamps being lit
Headlamps not required to be lit if the vehicle is being used on a restricted road, this being a road which has a system of street lamps not more that 185 FEET apart. E.g. a road in a built up area which has a 30mph limit.
What are the laws in relation to causing dazzling?
Reg 27
creates an offence for any person to use or cause or permit to be used, a vehicle on a road with headlamps, front fog lamps, or rear fog lamps
Which cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users. Also can’t be used when parked.
Offence to use them unless in conditions of seriously reduced visibility.
What are laws in relation to hazard warning lights?
Should not be used other than for normal usage i.e. to make other road users aware of an obstruction.
Apart from normal usage, the operation of hazard warning lights on a bus or coach has a special significance to the police in that it could signify that the driver requires assistance.
