Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act to consolidate the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 and certain related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission.
Citation1984 c. 27
Territorial extent Great Britain
Dates
Royal assent26 June 1984
Other legislation
AmendsRoad Traffic Regulation Act 1967
Amended by
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which provided powers to regulate or restrict traffic on roads in Great Britain, in the interest of safety. It superseded some earlier legislation, including the majority of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967. The Act is split into 10 parts covering 147 sections, it also includes 14 schedules.

The Act does not apply in Northern Ireland,[1] where The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997[2] makes similar provision.

Part 1: General provisions for traffic regulation

A Traffic Management Order made under the RTRA 1984.

Part 1 includes sections 1 to 13 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 3: Crossings and playgrounds

Authorities can designate highways as 'Play Streets'[5] under the Act.

Part 3 includes sections 23 to 31 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 4: Parking places

Part 4 includes sections 32 to 63 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 5: Traffic signs

Part 5 includes sections 64 to 80 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 6: Speed limits

Under RTRA, the default speed limit is 30mph where street lights are 200 yards apart or closer.

Part 6 includes sections 81 to 91 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Speed limits on restricted and non-restricted roads
Traffic signs indicating speed restrictions
Speeding offences
Approval of radar speed measuring devices
Speed limitations to certain types of vehicle (section 86)

Part 7: Bollards and other obstructions

Rising bollards can be used to exclude motor traffic at certain times.

Part 7 includes sections 92 to 94 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 8: Control and enforcement

A traffic warden enforcing parking restrictions in Camden, London.

Part 8 includes sections 95 to 111 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 9: Further provisions as to enforcement

Part 9 includes sections 112 to 121 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Part 10: General and supplementary provisions

Part 10 includes sections 122 to 147 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

Exercise of functions by local authorities
Boundary roads
Footpaths, bridleways and byways open to all traffic
Power to hold inquiries
Application of the Act to Crown roads
Application of the Act to the Isles of Scilly
Vehicles used for marine salvage
Hovercraft
Tramcars and trolley vehicles

Schedules

The Act contains 14 schedules.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 147", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 26 June 1984, 1984 c. 27 (s. 147), retrieved 12 March 2024, This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.
  2. ^ "The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 12 February 1997, SI 1997/276, retrieved 12 March 2024
  3. ^ Gloucestershire County Council https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/traffic-regulation-orders-tro-and-traffic-schemes/what-is-a-traffic-regulation-order-tro/
  4. ^ Southwark Council https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/traffic-orders-licensing-strategies-and-regulation/traffic-management-orders
  5. ^ Camden Council https://www.camden.gov.uk/play-streets
  6. ^ RAC Foundation, The control of parking by local authorities, https://www.racfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/elliot-parking-enforcement-main-report-16082010.pdf