Road Traffic Acts

[hiflier]

Do the provisions of the various Road Traffic Acts apply when driving on private land? In particular, the wearing of seat belts when on private estate roads.

[jd_here]

In a word, no, but it is always sensible to wear a seat belt.

[jackthehat]

No.
But my understanding is that it may have a serious impact on any Insurance claims for injuries sustained......

[Canary42]

No, but in a civil suit arising from such driving I have no doubt that it would influence the size of any damages awarded.

[jake-the-peg]

Depends what you mean by private land.

I believe the RTA is enforcible where the public has "unfeterred access"

So for example the RTA still applies in Tescos carparks for example

[hc4361]

What do you mean by private estate?

A huge piece of land owned by a private person with no public access at all, such as Balmoral, a trading estate or a residential estate?

[hiflier]

Thanks for your answers. Of course one should wear a seat belt at all times (barring a few well-known exemptions). I asked the question because I was issued with a fixed-penalty ticket for not complying with the law on seat belts whilst on a private road but one that public has access to, ie a retail park road, and need to know whether there is a defence in such a case.

[boxtops]

No then, a private road to which the public have access is not the same as a road completely within the bounds of a private estate.

[bobthefisherman]

Yep, as Jake, Boxi, & Eddie say, the Road Traffic act is still applicable to private roads to which the public have access - the chance of an accident is just the same as on a public road.......

[Buenchico]

This seems to be relevant:
http://www.direct.gov...Highwaycode/DG_069869

[chas2008]

whats your interpetation of private estate road ? if its a private housing estate , yes, as the general public have access..

[woolleysheep]

just athought- do you have to wear a seat belt when reversing