Transport Act 1981
Encyclopedia
The Transport Act 1981 was a Act of Parliament
in the United Kingdom
. Amongst other items it introduced the compulsory wearing of seat belts for front seat passengers for a trial period of three year.
The major part of the act was for re-organising the British Transport Docks Board
which led to its eventual privatisation.
showing the dangers of being thrown through the windscreen in a collision was shown during the 1970s. Attempts were made to making the wearing of front seat belts compulsory into a Road Traffic Bill in 1973-4 but was unsuccessful. John Gilbert
, the Minister of Transport proposed a 'Road Traffic (Seat Belts) Bill' in 1976 but it was also unsuccessful. Four further attempts at legislation were made by a number of MPs including William Rodgers and Neil Carmichael before Lord Nugent of Guildford, who was also the president of Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
was finally successful, initially by proposing a private members bills, and then by adding it as an amendment to this bill by the House of Lords. The House of Commons voted to accept the amendment on 28 July 1981.
Clauses
The act included clauses for:
Legacy
Following the three year trial the compulsory wearing of seat belts was made permanent when both Houses of Parliament voted 'overwhelmingly' to retain the requirement. Legislation was subsequently introduced for the compulsory fitting of seat belts to the rear of cars (1987), for children to wear seat belts in the back (1989), and then adults(1991). Seat belts were required for minibuses and coaches carrying school children (1996) and for all coaches (2001).
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Amongst other items it introduced the compulsory wearing of seat belts for front seat passengers for a trial period of three year.
The major part of the act was for re-organising the British Transport Docks Board
British Transport Docks Board
The British Transport Docks Board was a nationalised industry, managing former railway-owned docks in Great Britain. It was created by the Transport Act 1962 and abolished by the Transport Act 1981, which provided for its privatisation as Associated British Ports.The business had its origins in...
which led to its eventual privatisation.
Reorganisation of British Transport Docks Board
Part II of the act renamed the British Transport Docks Board as Associated British Ports and made it a subsidiary a holding company limited by shares to be issued by the Secretary of State or their agents, thus making its privatisation possible.Seatbelt legislation
It had been compulsory to fit front seat belts to cars built in Europe since 1965 and to all new cars sold in the UK since 1967. The Clunk Click” TV commercials, starring Jimmy SavileJimmy Savile
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG was an English disc jockey, television presenter and media personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, and for being the first and last presenter of the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops...
showing the dangers of being thrown through the windscreen in a collision was shown during the 1970s. Attempts were made to making the wearing of front seat belts compulsory into a Road Traffic Bill in 1973-4 but was unsuccessful. John Gilbert
John Gilbert, Baron Gilbert
John William Gilbert, Baron Gilbert PC is a British Labour politician.Gilbert was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, St John's College, Oxford and New York University....
, the Minister of Transport proposed a 'Road Traffic (Seat Belts) Bill' in 1976 but it was also unsuccessful. Four further attempts at legislation were made by a number of MPs including William Rodgers and Neil Carmichael before Lord Nugent of Guildford, who was also the president of Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is a British charity which aims to promote safety. It is particularly known for its vocal campaigns on issues of road safety, including Tufty the road crossing squirrel, the Cycling Proficiency Test and the Green Cross Code, as well as on issues of...
was finally successful, initially by proposing a private members bills, and then by adding it as an amendment to this bill by the House of Lords. The House of Commons voted to accept the amendment on 28 July 1981.
Clauses
The act included clauses for:
- The compulsory wearing of seat-belts for front seat passengers for three years
- other clauses...
Legacy
Following the three year trial the compulsory wearing of seat belts was made permanent when both Houses of Parliament voted 'overwhelmingly' to retain the requirement. Legislation was subsequently introduced for the compulsory fitting of seat belts to the rear of cars (1987), for children to wear seat belts in the back (1989), and then adults(1991). Seat belts were required for minibuses and coaches carrying school children (1996) and for all coaches (2001).