Seatbelts

[Deleted member 80959]

i have a 2004 Bessacar 4 berth van its fitted with forward facing seats in front, but side facing in rear . Can anyone tell me what the law is as regards seat belts in the rear ?
Yours Frank.

 

[Phill D]

Hi and welcome.

I believe the travelling passenger capacity is stated on the V5 and each designated seat is marked with a sticker and a seat belt.
That has been an issue with UK vans for some time. More berths than travelling seats.
There are a few members who are ex police so may have a more precise answer for you, but I believe that if there is not a belted seat it's not a legally permitted travel seat... However, I am happy to be proved incorrect.

 

[Emmit]

As your vehicle was first Registered before a particular date in September/October 2007 your sideways facing rear seats
can be used to convey adult passengers without falling foul of 'Seat Belt' law.

Others will be along to caution you regarding the danger to your passengers in so doing.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

i have a 2004 Bessacar 4 berth van its fitted with forward facing seats in front, but side facing in rear . Can anyone tell me what the law is as regards seat belts in the rear ?
Yours Frank.

Its also not against the law to run across the north circular road on foot, in rush hour, on a dark,wet, December night wearing black jeans and a black hoody.....just in case you wanted to do that with your friends/ family as well

Glad to help

 

[Minxy]

Its also not against the law to run across the north circular road on foot, in rush hour, on a dark,wet, December night wearing black jeans and a black hoody.....just in case you wanted to do that with your friends/ family as well

Glad to help

What was the point of this post to a newbie?

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[Speve]

Its also not against the law to run across the north circular road on foot, in rush hour, on a dark,wet, December night wearing black jeans and a black hoody.....just in case you wanted to do that with your friends/ family as well

Glad to help

Don’t think that was any help at all

 

[Minxy]

i have a 2004 Bessacar 4 berth van its fitted with forward facing seats in front, but side facing in rear . Can anyone tell me what the law is as regards seat belts in the rear ?
Yours Frank.

Hi Frank, welcome to the fun house

I'm not certain but 2007 comes to mind for a change in seat-belt law so as your MH is earlier than that you might 'legally' be allowed to use the rear seats for travel however personally it's not something I would do and as for using the seat belts with them, they offer no protection and can actually cause a lot of injuries as they restrain the lower body but allow the upper part to bend sideways in an impact, a way that is not 'natural' for humans and thus spinal damage can be caused.

Ultimately it's up to you/your rear passengers to decide if they want to risk it however if there was an accident and someone was seriously injured it would likely ultimately be the driver that was held liable and possibly sued by the other party.

 

[Phill D]

The key point of law from Emmit who I believe is most knowledgeable on the point is that of Adults only, not any children.
The op asked what is the law not what are our personal opinions.
Once knowing the law I am sure Frank is quite capable of doing what he believes is best.

 

[jezport]

The legalities of travelling seats vary dependent on the date of first registration. The use of side facing seats does not vary due to the anatomy of the human spine. It bends forward a lot more safely than sideways, and side seats with lap belts can actually cause worse spinal injuries than being unbelted.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I had a pre 2007 van with side facing seats and I did carry passengers on local roads at a low speed, although it is legal I never used them on anything other than within a 30 mph limit and even then drove very carefully. It's a personal choice, since the seatbelt law I have always used a belt, I have never it all that time had it serve any purpose, but I wear it because one day it may, and I would be grateful for it.

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[stevewagner]

Its also not against the law to run across the north circular road on foot, in rush hour, on a dark,wet, December night wearing black jeans and a black hoody.....just in case you wanted to do that with your friends/ family as well

Glad to help

That was funny! How to put a newbie off with one ridiculous comment.

 

[Minxy]

That was funny! How to put a newbie off with one ridiculous comment.

Hopefully it hasn't put Frank off, just let him know who are the helpful funsters and who aren't ... should be quite for a while though as 'catty' is visiting Coventry!

For into Frank, when a member is 'Visiting Coventry' its akin to being on the naughty step for a while.

 

[Minxy]

The key point of law from Emmit who I believe is most knowledgeable on the point is that of Adults only, not any children.
The op asked what is the law not what are our personal opinions.
Once knowing the law I am sure Frank is quite capable of doing what he believes is best.

Well excuse us .. some things are allowed by law it doesn't mean it is sensible to do them, other funsters opinions and experience are valid if they help the OP come to an informed decision, rather than just what the law says.

I think it might have been Carol who was travelling in the rear of a MH once on a side seat and when it stopped sharply even at low speed found it was something she never wanted to do again.

 

[Podney]

Oh! Why has Cheshirecat57 been sent to Coventry?

 

[Phill D]

Well excuse us .. some things are allowed by law it doesn't mean it is sensible to do them, other funsters opinions and experience are valid if they help the OP come to an informed decision, rather than just what the law says.

I think it might have been Carol who was travelling in the rear of a MH once on a side seat and when it stopped sharply even at low speed found it was something she never wanted to do again.

Your excused well intended advise which yours was is always helpful.
Some however tend to be shall I say,, less helpful.

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[Gellyneck]

BUNCH
Hopefully the constructive responses will be of assistance! There's a great bunch (no pun intended) of helpful folk on here who'll give useful advice.

 

[Geo]

I think Cheshire cats comments were helpfull as i understood his comment to mean a newbie may want to know the legal side and not fully understand the safety side
Also do not assume legal is safe.
Valid points not worthy of a travel token

 

[Minxy]

I think Cheshire cats comments were helpfull as i understood his comment to mean a newbie may want to know the legal side and not fully understand the safety side
Also do not assume legal is safe.
Valid points not worthy of a travel token

Really? I disagree, a newbie needs help not sarcasm.

 

[Phill D]

Really? I disagree, a newbie needs help not sarcasm.

I think it was the unnecessary y way in which it was presented.

 

[Geo]

Really? I disagree, a newbie needs help not sarcasm.

And i thought it said it all in a very helpfull and succinct manner
If newbies are that sensative maybe a Jnr section should be created untill they get used to forums,
Do you feel so superior you need to mother folk

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[Minxy]

And i thought it said it all in a very helpfull and succinct manner
If newbies are that sensative maybe a Jnr section should be created untill they get used to forums,
Do you feel so superior you need to mother folk

A new person does NOT know people on the forum and to have the sort of response he did was well out of order IMV and others too ... if you joined a forum as a newbie would you have been happy with that type of thing when you were asking for useful advice? If 'mothering folk' helps then I have no issue with that as I'd rather that than give a response which doesn't even answer the question being asked - as for superior, it appears that I'm not the one who feels that way from your comments.

 

[Podney]

I thought it was funny,but I have a rather dry,some might say sarcastic,sense of humour.

I didn’t think it was rude. Just shows how people differ in the way they interpret the written word. Much harder to get ones whole message across in writing compared to face to face.

 

[Geo]

It saddens me to think the hurty feeling brigade who dont know this bloke from Adam feel the need to judge him as a person who needs their help.
He drives a motor home, hes a big boy now.

 

[Carol]

Well excuse us .. some things are allowed by law it doesn't mean it is sensible to do them, other funsters opinions and experience are valid if they help the OP come to an informed decision, rather than just what the law says.

I think it might have been Carol who was travelling in the rear of a MH once on a side seat and when it stopped sharply even at low speed found it was something she never wanted to do again.

No not me that I can remember,

BUNCH our van is a 2000 and many moons ago there was much discussion and deemed legal to be able to travel on the side seats.
I have occasionally travelled on the side seat.



Enjoy your van. we love our 20year old van I'm sure you'll get a lot of pleasure out of yours.

 

[Minxy]

It saddens me to think the hurty feeling brigade who dont know this bloke from Adam feel the need to judge him as a person who needs their help.
He drives a motor home, hes a big boy now.

So why ask a question then?

I just hope that he hasn't taken offence and will stick around to find out how helpful most funsters are.

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[LesW]

I wouldn't worry about upsetting the OP.

Like many 'newbies' lately, no hello or introduction, asks a question then apparently disappeares.

 

[Grummyb]

Your all worried about is he here has he buggered off when what you should be doing is warning him that old Mo gets fast internet this week nd the jokes will be coming thick and fast

 

[RobbyMClark]

Looks like BUNCH asked the question and has not even bothered to look at any answers.
Now kiss and make up you lot

 

[rolosroller]

Looks like BUNCH asked the question and has not even bothered to look at any answers.
Now kiss and make up you lot

 

[Minxy]

Looks like BUNCH asked the question and has not even bothered to look at any answers.
Now kiss and make up you lot

Not everyone is able to get back onto the forum as much as some of us, give him time.