Road Policing Regulations Quiz

Introduction to Roads Policing Construction and Use Regulations

• The Motor Vehicles (Construction & Use) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1999 outline detailed rules for vehicle manufacture, maintenance, and use.
• Article 58 of the Road Traffic NI Order 1995 prosecutes violations of the Regulations, stating that failure to comply with construction or use requirements is an offense.

Vehicle Definitions

• Motor Vehicle: A mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads (excluding trams, vehicles on rails, or trolley vehicles).
• Mechanically Propelled Vehicle (MPV): Not formally defined, but understood as a vehicle with some form of mechanical propulsion (e.g., petrol, steam, electric).
• Trailer: A vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle.
• Road: Includes public roads, streets, carriageways, highways, and roadways accessible to the public.

Seat Belts

• Drivers and passengers aged 14 and over in cars, vans, and commercial vehicles must wear seatbelts if available.
• Drivers are responsible for ensuring children under 14 wear seatbelts or use appropriate child restraints.
• Front seatbelts were compulsory in new cars registered in the UK since 1968, with rear seatbelts becoming compulsory in 1986.
• Since 2007, passengers aged 3 and above in buses and coaches must wear seatbelts where fitted.

Headlamps & Hours of Darkness

• Vehicles must be fitted with front and rear position lamps (sidelights) that show white light (front) and red light (rear).
• Vehicles must have two stop lamps, except invalid carriages and motorcycles (with or without sidecars) that only need one.

Registration Plate Lamps

• Vehicles must have a working rear registration plate lamp capable of adequately illuminating the plate during sunset to sunrise.

Dangerous Driving

• Article 9 of the Road Traffic (NI) Order 1995 defines dangerous driving causing death or grievous bodily injury as driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or public place, resulting in death or injury.
• Article 11(1)(2) of the Road Traffic (NI) Order 1995 defines dangerous driving as driving significantly below the standard of a competent and careful driver, or driving a vehicle in a state that would obviously be dangerous to a competent and careful driver.

Notice of Intended Prosecution

• A Notice of Intended Prosecution can be given verbally, within 24 hours of the offense, but the offender must understand the warning.
• A Form 55/13 can be served on the offender within 14 days of the offense for careless/inconsiderate driving or dangerous cycling.
• For other offenses, a Notice of Intended Prosecution can be served on the offender or vehicle owner within 14 days, or a summons served within 14 days.

Disability and Medical Condition Referrals

• Police investigating any incident, including collisions, must report to DVA if they suspect a driver has a disability or medical condition that poses a danger to the public.
• Use Form 55/4 for this reporting, completing it within the turn of duty and emailing it to zDVANI for immediate referral to DVA.

Urgent Eyesight Referrals

• Cassie's Law was introduced in Great Britain after a fatal collision caused by an elderly driver who ignored police advice not to drive following a failed eyesight test.
• It emphasizes the urgency of reporting eyesight issues that could impact driving.

Child Restraints

• Children under 12 years old or 135cm in height must use child restraints in cars and goods vehicles.

Tyre Requirements

• All tyres must be free from defects and fit for the intended use.
• Tyres must be inflated to the correct pressure.
• Tyres with cuts exceeding 25mm or 10% of the section width are not permitted.
• Tyres with exposed ply or cord are not permitted.
• Tyres must have the original tread pattern visible.
• Tread depth requirements vary by vehicle type:
  • Light trailers (under 750kgs) and vehicles within category ‘B’ of a driving licence require at least 1.6mm tread depth.
  • Category ‘A’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ vehicles require the base of the original tread to be visible with at least 1mm tread depth.
  • Mopeds only need the original tread pattern visible.

Lights on Vehicles

• Vehicles must display lights during periods of reduced visibility, regardless of the time of day.

Stopping Power of a Constable

• A uniformed constable can require drivers of vehicles and cyclists to stop.
• Failure to stop when instructed is an offense.

Power of Entry

• Police have the power to arrest someone for failing to stop for a uniformed constable under Article 180(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

Power to Direct

• A uniformed constable can direct cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists while carrying out functions under the Traffic Order.
• Failure to comply with the constable's directions is an offense.

Police Direction Signals

• There are specific hand signals used by police officers in the UK, examples of which include:
  • Stop Front: Signal given to traffic approaching from the front.
  • Stop Rear and Hold: Signal given to traffic approaching from the rear.
  • Stop Front and Hold Rear: Signal given to traffic approaching from both the front and rear.
  • Beckon Right: Signal given to beckon traffic approaching from the right to proceed.

Driving Documents: Introduction

• Police officers frequently interact with motor vehicles and drivers.
• Examining documents can lead to the detection of traffic and non-traffic offenses.
• This section introduces Article 180 of the Road Traffic (NI) Order 1981 and police powers regarding document demands.

Driving Documents: Driver Definition

• A "driver" includes anyone using the driver's controls to direct the movement of a vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's power source.
• Two people can be considered driving the same vehicle.

Driving Documents: Use and Cause

• A driver is always considered to be using the vehicle.
• If a vehicle belongs to a company and is used for business purposes, the employer is also considered to be using the vehicle.
• The owner of a vehicle is considered to be using it if they are in the passenger seat and the vehicle is being used for their purpose.
• A person with authority who orders or instructs someone to drive a vehicle is considered to be causing the use of the vehicle.
• A person who gives permission to use a vehicle, whether general or specific, is permitting use.
• A vehicle that has been left on the road for an extended period and is unable to be moved still requires insurance.

Seizure of Uninsured Vehicles

• Police have the power to seize uninsured vehicles on public roads.
• A uniformed constable must have reasonable grounds to suspect a vehicle is uninsured before taking action.
• Suspicion can be established through checks with the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) and insurance companies.

Child Restraints

• Children up to 12 years old or 135cm tall must use child restraints in cars and goods vehicles.

Tyre Requirements

• General: All vehicle tyres must be free from defects and suitable for their intended use.
• Inflation: Tyres must be inflated to the proper pressure for the vehicle's use.
• Damage: Tyres with cuts exceeding 25mm or 10% of the section width, reaching the ply/cord, or with lumps/bulges/tears from structural failure are prohibited.
• Ply/Cord Exposure: Tyres with exposed ply/cord are prohibited.
• Tread Depth: The base groove of the original tread pattern must be visible.
• Light Trailers & Category B Vehicles (up to 750kg): Require at least 1.6 mm of tread depth throughout the central ¾ of the tire breadth.
• Category A, C, and D Vehicles: Require the base of the original tread to be visible and at least 1mm of tread depth throughout the central ¾ of the tire breadth.
• Mopeds: Only require the original tread pattern to be visible.

Vehicle Lights

• Vehicles must display lights during periods of reduced visibility, regardless of the time of day.

Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS)

• Trained officers or designated agencies carry out vehicle inspections.
• VDRS Offences:
  • Driver unable to fully see the road.
  • Defective lights
  • No windscreen wipers
  • Defective windscreen wipers
  • Defective seatbelts
  • Excessive smoke
  • No horn
  • No windscreen washers
  • No driver's seatbelt
  • Defective side protective guard
  • Dangerous mascot on the vehicle
  • No spray suppression device
  • Defective exhaust and silencer system
  • Defective tire (general)
• VDRS 55/10 Form: Can be issued by an authorized examiner for detected offenses.
• VDRS 1 (Form 55/10): Served on the vehicle owner, requiring them to present the vehicle for inspection within 14 days.

Vehicle Prohibited from Continuing

• A specially trained Roads Policing Officer can issue a form T6/1, prohibiting a vehicle from moving until defects are rectified.
• VDRS1 (form 55/10): Issued via mobile device.

Driving While Disqualified

• The offense of driving while disqualified is of strict liability, meaning knowledge of the disqualification is not necessary to prove guilt.
• Proof of Disqualification:
  • Certificate of Conviction
  • Witness testimony from someone present at the disqualification hearing
  • Admission from the driver during an interview conducted according to PACE and Codes of Practice.

Definition of "Driving"

• A person seated in a vehicle, directing its movement, is considered to be driving, even if the engine is not running.

Vehicle Seizure (No Insurance)

• Form T23: Used for vehicle seizure, except for no insurance cases.
• Form T27: Used for no insurance vehicle seizure.
• Conditions for Seizure:
  • Officer requires proof of insurance, it is not produced, and there are reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was being driven.
  • Officer requires the driver to stop, they fail to stop, and there are reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was being driven.
• Authorized Officers: Only authorized officers can seize vehicles for lack of insurance.

Police Guidance on Uninsured Vehicle Seizure

• Conduct initial enquiries to verify the vehicle is uninsured, including checking the Motor Insurers Database (MID) and contacting the MIB police helpline.
• Request assistance from an authorized officer to seize the vehicle.
• Officer will complete the necessary paperwork and instruct the driver on how to retrieve their vehicle.
• The seizing officer is responsible for issuing a form 55/8 for other driving documents and submitting the "No insurance" file.

Careless and Inconsiderate Driving

• Offence: Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.
• Standard: Driving behavior must meet the standard of a competent and careful driver.
• No Allowances: Inexperience or errors in judgement do not excuse careless and inconsiderate driving.
• Examples:
  • Signalling left and turning right
  • Failing to give way at a roundabout
  • Hitting a parked vehicle, lamp post, or traffic sign without reasonable excuse.