Annex 4. The Road User And The Law
The following list can be found abbreviated throughout the Code. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide, but a guide to some of the important points of law. For the precise wording of the law, please refer to the various Acts and Regulations (as amended) indicated in the Code. Abbreviations are listed below.
Most of the provisions apply on all roads throughout Great Britain, although there are some exceptions. The definition of a road in England and Wales is 'any highway and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes' (RTA 1988 sect 192(1)). In Scotland, there is a similar definition which is extended to include any way over which the public have a right of passage (R(S)A 1984 sect 151(1)).
It is important to note that references to 'road' therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks.
The reference to 'emergency area' in the Code is an 'emergency refuge area' as defined in the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 as amended by the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales)(Amendment)(England) Regulations 2015.
Acts and regulations are available as enacted or as amended at www.legislation.gov.uk and are available in their original print format from The Stationery Office.
| Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 | CSDPA |
| Functions of Traffic Wardens Order 1970 | FTWO |
| Greater London (General Powers) Act 1974 | GL(GP)A |
| Highway Act 1835 or 1980 (as indicated) | HA |
| Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) Regulations 1982 | MT(E&W)R |
| Pedal Cycles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1983 | PCUR |
| Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 | PPVA |
| Road Traffic Act 1984 | RTA |
| Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 | RTRA |
| Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 | CUR |
| Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 | R(S)A |
| Environmental Protection Act 1990 | EPA |
| Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Act 1990 | H(PHYR)A |
| Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Regulations 1992 | H(PHYR)R |
| Motor Cycles (Eye Protectors) Regulations 1999 | MC(EP)R |
| Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998 | MC(PH)R |
| Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 or 2018 (as indicated) | MT(E&W)(A)R |
| Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2015 | MT(E&W)(A)(E)R |
| Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995 | MT(S)R |
| Motorways Traffic (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 or 2018 (as indicated) | MT(S)(A)R |
| Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 | MV(DL)R |
| Motor Vehicles (Variation of Speed Limits) (England & Wales) Regulations 2014 | MV(VSL)(E&W) |
| Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 | MV(WSB)R |
| Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 or 2006 (as applicable) | MV(WSB)(A)R |
| Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993 | MV(WSBCFS)R |
| New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 | NRSWA |
| Pedal Cycles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1983 | PCUR |
| Police Reform Act 2002 | PRA |
| Private Crossings (Signs and Barriers) Regulations | PC(SB)R |
| Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Scottish SI 2006/No 90 | TPSCP(S)R* |
| Road Safety Act 2006 | RSA |
| Road Traffic Act 1984, 1988 or 1991 as indicated | RTA |
| Road Traffic Act 1988 (Prescribed Limit)(Scotland) Regulations 2014 | PLSR |
| Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 | RT(ND)A |
| Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 | RTOA |
| Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment)(No 4) Regulations 2003 | CUR(A)(No4)R |
| Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 | RV(DRM)R |
| Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 | RVLR |
| Road Vehicles (Registration & Licensing) Regulations 2002 | RV(R&L)R |
| Sentencing Act 2020 | SA |
| Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007 SI 2007/765 | TSf(EV)* |
| Smoke-free Premises etc (Wales) Regulations 2007 SI 2007/W787 | TSfP(W)R* |
| Smoke-free (Private Vehicles) Regulations 2015 | S-f(PV)R |
| Smoke-free Premises etc (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 | S-f(W)R |
| Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Act 2016 | SP(CIMV)(S)A |
| Traffic Management Act 2004 | TMA |
| Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2002 | TSRGD |
| Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2016 | TSRGD 2016 |
| Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 | UICHR |
| Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 | VERA |
| Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 | ZPPPCRGD |
*Specific legislation applies to smoking in vehicles which constitute workplaces.
For information, visit:
- www.smokefreeengland.co.uk
- www.ashscotland.org.uk
- www.gov.wales/smoking
