Uk rules for lying down while on the road

[motojc]

We’re looking into a motor home if my health improves but currently I’m unable to sit for longer than 5 minutes. Is there any loophole where you can lie in a bed but belted maybe while the motor home is on the road? We’re in England so mainly Uk rules but if my health allows we would eventually be looking to travel further

 

[gus-lopez]

My wife just goes to bed if she wants . Is it legal ,I don't think so?
She also sleeps with the seat reclined which isn't recommended,nor legal I believe . Certainly not here in spain. .

 

[VXman]

No not legal. You need to be in forward facing seat with seat belts.

 

[phillipsheila]

I have seen disabled camper with a belted bed facing forward for traveling same as amblance

 

[pappajohn]

As VXman, but short of an accident who would know.

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[suavecarve]

Doctor's certificate for seat belt exemption ?

 

[phil1946]

SuperMike might have a considerd view on this.

 

[VXman]

As VXman, but short of an accident who would know.

The person using the bed would certainly know in a serious accident.

 

[GJH]

This article seems to be pretty comprehensive: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carriage-of-passengers-in-campervans
The other aspect to consider is the attitude of your insurance company - would your cover be affected in case of an accident resulting in injury?

 

[Spriddler]

Deleted.
(I posted the same thoughts about an ambulance type of bed as did phillipsheila).

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[Wack]

My wife just goes to bed if she wants . Is it legal ,I don't think so?
She also sleeps with the seat reclined which isn't recommended,nor legal I believe . Certainly not here in spain. .

From what I've seen of caravans turning to matchwood in a crash if she's lying on the bed and you crash I can't see that ending well

 

[tacr2man]

From what I've seen of caravans turning to matchwood in a crash if she's lying on the bed and you crash I can't see that ending well

I don't see you being a whole lot better off in the rear wearing a seatbelt in a designated seat .

The Gov advice as so often seems to be a bit based on "If" "maybe" "could" to get to what is not actually a cast iron prohibition . I have seen licenced school buses with side ways facing seats fitted with seat belts , passed by DVSA .

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
There used to be " Converted coaches ( To a VERY high standard)" that used to take pilgrims of varying illnesses to Lourdes in the old days,some Bed bound. Perhaps if you can trace the operators of this system,if they are still in business,you will get the rules chapter and verse. best of luck in your quest.
Tea Bag

 

[SuperMike]

Management has traveled thousands of miles whilst laying on the bed, with no belt. With her heated blankets on to help relieve the pain and watching the TV, reading, doing her crosswords or just asleep, is the only way for her.

I do have a camera linked to the SatNav to keep an eye on her.

Is it legal, no. Will she be covered in any accident, doubt it. Chances of being found out, very slim. Do we care, no, it's her choice.

 

[Pilote87]

Hi.
There used to be " Converted coaches ( To a VERY high standard)" that used to take pilgrims of varying illnesses to Lourdes in the old days,some Bed bound. Perhaps if you can trace the operators of this system,if they are still in business,you will get the rules chapter and verse. best of luck in your quest.
Tea Bag

Yes, they used to be known as Jumbulances. Blue and white livery, if I remember correctly. My mother made the trip to Austria in one a couple of times from Hertfordshire.

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[Vipar]

What if you are in an ambulance? Never sat up in one myself.

 

[Tea Bag]

Blue and white livery,

Hi.
I Remember the Blue...they must be the ones . Thanks.
Tea Bag

 

[Tombola]

My wife just goes to bed if she wants . Is it legal ,I don't think so?
She also sleeps with the seat reclined which isn't recommended,nor legal I believe . Certainly not here in spain. .

same with my wife.

I remember back in the day as a small kid I used to sleep on the back parcel shelf of the Zephyr my dad used to have on long journey...OOOOH The good /bad old days. Ive even been in the boot when not enough seats

LOL

 

[rb62]

Hi.
I Remember the Blue...they must be the ones . Thanks.
Tea Bag

They still are https://www.jumbulance.org.uk/

 

[pampam]

What do groups etc do on tour in the tour bus?(if you know what i mean)

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[Googlebot]

They still are https://www.jumbulance.org.uk/

I have taken people on such a trip. They were proper Ambulance cots with seatbelts.

At work even the brackets we secure the kit with are now crash tested.

The stretchers are leg and chest harness straps and very very secure. You won’t get the same in a Motorhome bed.

If you can’t sit your options are alas limited.

 

[tacr2man]

One option might be a fall arrester harness and secure fixing thru floor to chassis ? Pink fluffy handcuffs to bed frame might not work so well

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

We’re looking into a motor home if my health improves but currently I’m unable to sit for longer than 5 minutes. Is there any loophole where you can lie in a bed but belted maybe while the motor home is on the road? We’re in England so mainly Uk rules but if my health allows we would eventually be looking to travel further

As long as you can reach the steering wheel,I suppose it should be ok.

 

[gus-lopez]

The other aspect to consider is the attitude of your insurance company - would your cover be affected in case of an accident resulting in injury?

Firstly I'd be claiming off the other persons insurance for causing it & they haven't any opinion they just have to pay for my repairs/injuries. That's why we don't do knock 4 knock.My insurance company would be doing the claiming.

From what I've seen of caravans turning to matchwood in a crash if she's lying on the bed and you crash I can't see that ending well

Perhaps I should insure her then?

I have seen licenced school buses with side ways facing seats fitted with seat belts , passed by DVSA .

It wasn't long ago that children under 14 could sit 3 to a double seat when coaches were used for school transport

 

[Tea Bag]

They still are https://www.jumbulance.org.uk/

Hi.
Thank you as well. This may,just may reach someone who might need their services. Its been 10 years since i was a " Serious? ( YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS !! ) Juggernaught jockey ( The insurance killed it ,not age...72) and hadn't seen them for a while then. keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down...Byyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Tea Bag..( KUMMIN THREW.as was )

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[Tea Bag]

Perhaps I should insure her then?

Hi.
Go on............. FORCE yourself.....Have you seen the wages " Domestic Staff want today ? ".
Tea Bag

 

[Brains]

Hi.
There used to be " Converted coaches ( To a VERY high standard)" that used to take pilgrims of varying illnesses to Lourdes in the old days,some Bed bound. Perhaps if you can trace the operators of this system,if they are still in business,you will get the rules chapter and verse. best of luck in your quest.
Tea Bag

They are still in operation (or at least were pre-pandemic)
https://www.across.org.uk/our-jumbulance/

 

[olley]

While driving through France in the RV a few years ago with both daughters and grandson, they were still in bed behind me, one in the rock and roll sofa the other opposite on the drop down table bed, with these both out the whole off the lounge area is just one very big bed.
We got pulled in to a check point, a gendarme opens the door comes in and sees two 20 year olds smiling at him amidst a jumble of sheets and clothing, he sakes his head, gets off and waves us on.

 

[mikebeaches]

There used to be Megabus sleeper coaches travelling by road between London and Scotland, which had flat beds. But it appears the service ended in 2017. Ran for four years, so must have been legal.

You can take the high bunk and I'll take the low bunk: Sleeper bus to Scotland from £15

The new coach service will take customers from to Glasgow to London in less than eight hours and includes a complimentary onesie for sleepy travellers.

www.dailymail.co.uk

<Broken link removed>

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

While driving through France in the RV a few years ago with both daughters and grandson, they were still in bed behind me, one in the rock and roll sofa the other opposite on the drop down table bed, with these both out the whole off the lounge area is just one very big bed.
We got pulled in to a check point, a gendarme opens the door comes in and sees two 20 year olds smiling at him amidst a jumble of sheets and clothing, he sakes his head, gets off and waves us on.

Probably couldn't translate to English ,what he really wanted to say

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