Travelling in the back without seatbelt

[Jac Sprat]

Is it strictly illegal to have a passenger sitting on the bed at the back if all the seatbelts are being used by other passengers? My research suggests it’s a bit of a grey area. I obviously understand the safety aspect .

 

[Jim]

It depends

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[Bobby-gg]

But, would you want to put yourself or a loved one in the back of a van without one?

 

[Jac Sprat]

But, would you want to put yourself or a loved one in the back of a van without one?

I know! I’ve been pushed into taking one too many passengers to a convention to save them money (their choice) but I think I’m going to have to decline.

 

[chaser]

Not condoning it and wouldn't do it but how many have ridden in the back of vans before without seatbelts, my father never had anything but vans and we always had to sit in the back on a bale of straw similar when I started work at a builders we were transported in the back of old Bedford CA,s with a rough wooden bench up either side, I personally have never heard of anyone coming to more harm sitting in the back than someone belted in in the front.
Ok I know I'm going to get shot down on this but just saying.

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[Diabalo]

Back in the days my dad had an Austin A60 Cambridge estate, when going camping in Cornwall the car was all packed out up to about the bottom window level right from the back of the front seats to the rear lift up door and on top was my bed for the long nightime journey from Kent. Not to be recommended nowdays, different times back thenthen I suppose.

 

[grumps147]

Anyone considering this should get some advice on a part of the civil law called contributory negligence. Worst case scenario is not only do the insurers not cover you in any kind of accident (the person walks about and falls and injures themselves, lots of similar claims from bus passengers), but the person being carried then sues you for their injuries and succeeds. A big enough claim and having already perhaps lost your motorhome you may then lose your home.
So, irrespective of the criminal law, your risks are now beginning to rise where it will hurt.

 

[L' Hobo]

Anyone considering this should get some advice on a part of the civil law called contributory negligence. Worst case scenario is not only do the insurers not cover you in any kind of accident (the person walks about and falls and injures themselves, lots of similar claims from bus passengers), but the person being carried then sues you for their injuries and succeeds. A big enough claim and having already perhaps lost your motorhome you may then lose your home.
So, irrespective of the criminal law, your risks are now beginning to rise where it will hurt.

Just to add my twopenny worth, buses are often mentioned as not having seatbelts, what most do have though are 'Grab-Handles and upright struts (which most other vehicles do not) which are all tested on a buses MOT and six weekly safety checks.

 

[Folkranger]

I travelled on a bus this week for the first time since BC - before covid. Sitting was a difficult enough process but try standing or walking... sheesh! I know the sign says stay seated until the bus has stopped but who does? The amount of swing on a double decker when he's doing a 90 degree turn at 30mph in a 20 zone and you're trying to get to the door as he's stopping.

Sorry, I digress.

 

[dunnah01]

Very hard to see a situation where not wearing a seatbelt could be argued to be travelling in a safe manner so good luck defending it in court.

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[bridgedino]

Jump on any town or city bus these days, loads of folk sitting or standing with no seatbelts. I wouldnt do it for a weeks trip in MH but for a day out I think i would

 

[Jamesh]

But, would you want to put yourself or a loved one in the back of a van without one?

Just the MIL.....!

 

[L' Hobo]

I travelled on a bus this week for the first time since BC - before covid. Sitting was a difficult enough process but try standing or walking... sheesh! I know the sign says stay seated until the bus has stopped but who does? The amount of swing on a double decker when he's doing a 90 degree turn at 30mph in a 20 zone and you're trying to get to the door as he's stopping.

Sorry, I digress.

and I think you exaggerate, "doing a 90 degree turn at 30mph' in a Double Decker, the bus would roll over?

PS. Why didn't YOU wait in your seat until the bus DID stop?

 

[NigelNovice]

It is a grey area, quotes from gov. guidance, plus the co pilot can also make use of the toilet whilst on the move no seat belt in there on mine.
quote "Although it is not specifically illegal to travel in the accommodation area of a campervan"
quote "Although side facing seats, with or without seat belts, are not illegal, we would not advise that they are used."

Carriage of passengers in campervans

www.gov.uk

Also with the general seatbelt law we had the Grandfather clause as in all vehicles built before date were excluded, so why not for MH the law changed but MH were still built without seatbelts for a few years after, if it were law to wear them surely MH makers would have to build to comply.

 

[Landy Andy]

No seatbelts if adults wouldn’t bother me.

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[Tombola]

If do it if someone needed a lift

 

[Grianan]

I know! I’ve been pushed into taking one too many passengers to a convention to save them money (their choice) but I think I’m going to have to decline.

Sounds as if you’ve been pushed into an uncomfortable situation but answers on this thread should allow you to give the extra passenger a reasoned response as to why you can’t take them. Enjoy the convention!

 

[stevewagner]

Not condoning it and wouldn't do it but how many have ridden in the back of vans before without seatbelts, my father never had anything but vans and we always had to sit in the back on a bale of straw similar when I started work at a builders we were transported in the back of old Bedford CA,s with a rough wooden bench up either side, I personally have never heard of anyone coming to more harm sitting in the back than someone belted in in the front.
Ok I know I'm going to get shot down on this but just saying.

Lot less traffic and less powerful vehicles in those days

 

[iandsm]

Is it strictly illegal to have a passenger sitting on the bed at the back if all the seatbelts are being used by other passengers? My research suggests it’s a bit of a grey area. I obviously understand the safety aspect .

If you understand the safety aspect Jac, you don't need to ask.

 

[Minxy]

Quite apart from what's already been mentioned do you fancy a 'missile' from the rear if there's an accident which could seriously injure anyone sitting in the designated seats? The person not restrained may be willing to take the risk for themselves but would all the others be willing to, or would you? Not something I'd do just for a favour to save someone some money or any other reason except in a dire emergency.

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[iandsm]

Quite apart from what's already been mentioned do you fancy a 'missile' from the rear if there's an accident which could seriously injure anyone sitting in the designated seats? The person not restrained may be willing to take the risk for themselves but would all the others be willing to, or would you? Not something I'd do just for a favour to save someone some money or any other reason except in a dire emergency.

Couldn't agree more. Having seen several times what happens to people not wearing seatbelts in a frontal impact there is only onward to describe it, idiocy.