How some of Ireland’s seatbelt laws compare to the UK’s

A press release regarding seatbelt laws in the UK recently landed in my inbox, and it certainly caught my attention.

The release from car insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk highlighted eight laws about seat belts in the UK that it claims most drivers are unaware of. One law that stood out was when a UK driver is reversing, “they are legally permitted to take off their seatbelt”.

This prompted me to try compare these UK laws with our own seatbelt laws here in Ireland. I forwarded the press release on to the Garda press office to enquire which of these UK laws are similar to Irish laws. However, the Garda press office were unwilling to offer any information on this road safety matter, and suggested I “contact the Road Safety Authority”.

In our view, it is unfortunate that the Garda press office seemed unwilling to assist us in the interest of road safety (at a time when road deaths are getting out of control). A previous enquiry by us in relation to penalty point offences was also redirected to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Thankfully, the response from the RSA’s communications department was impressive in both the speed of the reply and the information provided, with a detailed reply to each of the eight seatbelt laws mentioned in the original UK press release. Here are the “eight things you probably didn’t know about seatbelt laws” in the UK, with the RSA’s correspondence highlighted in red:

1. Driving a taxi
Taxi drivers who are carrying passengers or plying for hire are exempt from wearing a seatbelt. This law is to protect the driver from any passengers who may use the seat belt to hold the driver down and attack them.

Drivers of small public service vehicles (such as taxis) are not exempt and must wear seat belts – S.I. No. 402/2004 – Road Traffic (Removal of Exemption From Wearing Seat Belts by Taxi Drivers) Regulations 2004.

2. Reversing
When a driver is reversing, they are legally permitted to take off their seatbelt. This also applies to Brits who are supervising a learner driver who is reversing. The seat belt must be put back on as soon as they continue to drive forwards.

There is no exemption given when driver is reversing vehicles. Exemptions to seatbelt wearing include driving instructors and driving testers during a lesson or a driving test – S.I. No. 240/2006 – European Communities (Compulsory use of Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles).

3. Classic car
Before 1965, seatbelts did not have to be fitted into UK vehicles. So for those who drive a classic car which was originally manufactured without a seatbelt, there is no law requiring one to be fitted. Children under three cannot sit in the car, and those over three can only sit in the back.

There is no legal requirement to fit seat belts in vintage vehicles if they were not originally manufactured with them. However, they are strongly recommended. A vehicle becomes vintage 30 years after the date of first registration.

All children under 150 cm in height or 36 kg in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) suitable for their height and weight while travelling in a car or goods vehicle other than a taxi or bus – S.I. No. 240/2006 – European Communities (Compulsory use of Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles).

4. Goods vehicles
Motorists who are driving goods vehicles on delivery rounds do not need to wear a seatbelt if the distance is no more than 50 metres in between stops. In all other circumstances they must have a seatbelt on, unless reversing.

No exemption given.

5. Medical exemptions
Doctors are able to hand out a certificate to those drivers who have valid medical grounds to not wear a seatbelt. This certificate must be kept in the car to show the police if necessary, as well as informing the car insurer.

Exemptions on medical grounds are given to person holding a certificate from a registered medical practitioner excusing them from having to wear a seat belt or if they are wearing a disabled person’s belt e.g., if in a wheelchair – S.I. No. 240/2006 – European Communities (Compulsory use of Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles) 

6. Buses
Passengers onboard buses are exempt from wearing seatbelts, and buses generally do not have them installed. This is because these urban buses are intended for short trips at slow speeds and usually travel in dedicated bus lanes. They’re also designed to allow passengers to stand. Bus drivers are required to wear seatbelts if one is fitted – this depends on the year of manufacture.

It is not a requirement to install seat belts on an omnibus or city bus in accordance with S.I No. 367 of 2011 and Directive 2001/85/EC as they are of a specific design, travel on a set route and adhere to restricted speed limits at all times.
Vehicles used for the organised transport* of children must be fitted with the appropriate seat belts for the number of children being transported. 

*This involves taking a group of three or more children on a dedicated trip, including to or from school, school outings, sporting events and all other organised trips. 

7. Coaches
The seatbelt law on coaches depends when the vehicle was first used. Coaches registered before 1988 do not require adults to wear seatbelts, those registered between 1988 and 2001 require seatbelts on forward-facing seats, and after 2001 requires a three-point belt on all coach seats.

• Buses registered from 20th of October 2007 must be fitted with seatbelts.
• Buses registered before 20th of October 2007 do not need to be fitted with seatbelts unless used for the transport of children. 

*This involves taking a group of three or more children on a dedicated trip, including to or from school, school outings, sporting events and all other organised trips. 

8. 14 year olds
Passengers who are under 14 years old are required to wear a seatbelt by law, but it is their own responsibility to do so. Drivers are only responsible for children under 14 to wear their seatbelt and be in the correct child seat.

• The driver of a vehicle other than a bus shall ensure that persons under 17 years of age wear a seatbelt
• All bus passengers over the age of 14 can be prosecuted if found not to be wearing a seat belt on a bus.
• Legally the bus driver must announce that seat belts must be always worn when the vehicle is in motion either through an announcement or signage. They can also legally refuse to carry a passenger who does not wear a seat belt – S.I. No. 240/2006 – European Communities (Compulsory use of Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles).