Motorhomes

[Deancosmos]

Hi all, can anyone tell me the rules regarding motorhomes ? My family are thinking of renting one in October but are children allowed loose in the back ? I know caravans have different safety regs. It seems unlikely that toddlers are permitted to wander around whilst in motion.

Thanks

[Buenchico]

Here's a quote from the Department for Transport, in January of this year:

" ... seats in the rear of a campervan/motorhome do not, at present, require seatbelts (whether forward, rearward or sideways facing) and it is not illegal to carry unrestrained passengers in them while travelling, providing the vehicle is not overloaded. It is not something we would recommend, however.

Although current seat belt wearing regulations do not currently prohibit carrying more passengers in vehicles than there are seat belts available, the police may prosecute drivers for carrying passengers in a manner that may injure someone.
We would advise that no-one should be carried in any unbelted seat in the rear of a motorhome."

That quote was provided to UKMotorhomes.net. The full text can be viewed by scrolling towards the bottom of this page:
http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/faqs.shtml

Chris

[markja]

dean, just a quick note for you. the space in the front of the van above the front seats is a 'non surviving area' in an accident. even low speed.( there is no strength at all.) never carry anyone in the bed area there while in motion. i've seen a couple of prangs and it's not nice.

enjoy your holiday though.

[Deancosmos]

Thanks guys. I need to think carefully about this, I have 4 children under 6 and only 2 seatbelts by the sound of it !

[Ethel]

I'm sure you've looked into it carefully dean but many people are not aware that weight is important.

A lot of people are licenced to drive up to 3.5 tonnes only. Many motorhomes are heavier than this, and the weight must include all luggage, water, fuel - including gas bottles, and passengers.