Road Traffic Act 1960
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Road Traffic Act 1960 (8 & 9 Eliz. 2. c. 16) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom consolidating prior road-traffic legislation. It provided statutory provisions on traffic offences, vehicle equipment and lighting, speed limits on restricted roads, control of motor trials, and the use of footpaths and bridleways by vehicles. The act has been partially amended and repealed by subsequent road traffic legislation.[1]
Long titleAn Act to consolidate, with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act, 1949, certain enactments relating to road traffic.
Citation8 & 9 Eliz. 2. c. 16
Territorial extent[b]
Royal assent22 March 1960
| Act of Parliament | |
.svg) | |
| Long title | An Act to consolidate, with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act, 1949, certain enactments relating to road traffic. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 8 & 9 Eliz. 2. c. 16 |
| Territorial extent | [b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22 March 1960 |
| Commencement | 1 September 1960[c] |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | See § Repealed enactments |
| Repeals/revokes | See § Repealed enactments |
| Amended by | |
Status: Partially repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Road Traffic Act 1960 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
Background
The act was enacted to consolidate earlier statutes into a single system, with corrections and improvements under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949 (12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 33) . The bill, titled the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill, was debated in both Houses of Parliament in 1960.[2]
Provisions
Significant areas covered by the act include:[1]
| Category | Section(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic offences | s.1–15 | Driving offences, conduct rules. |
| Vehicle equipment | s.16–18 | Lighting, reflectors, equipment. |
| Speed limits | s.19–20 | Restricted road speed rules. |
| Footpaths & bridleways | s.21–23 | Use of non-road rights of way. |
| Enforcement & penalties | s.24–30 | Fines, prosecutions, summary offen. |
Repealed enactments
Section 267(1) of the act repealed 47 enactments, listed in part I of the eighteenth schedule to the act, and revoked 5 orders and regulations, listed in part II of that schedule.[3]
| Citation | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 14 & 15 Geo. 5. c. 34 | London Traffic Act 1924 | The whole act. |
| 15 & 16 Geo. 5. c. 71 | Public Health Act 1925 | Section sixty-eight. |
| 20 & 21 Geo. 5. c. 43 | Road Traffic Act 1930 | Sections one to fifty. |
| In section fifty-seven, subsections (3) to (5). | ||
| Section fifty-nine. | ||
| In section sixty, paragraph (a). | ||
| Part IV. | ||
| In section one hundred and eight, subsection (2). | ||
| In section one hundred and ten, the words " within the meaning of the London Traffic Act, 1924 ". | ||
| Sections one hundred and eleven and one hundred and twelve. | ||
| In section one hundred and thirteen, in subsection (2), the words " for which no special penalty is provided " and subsection (3). | ||
| Section one hundred and sixteen. | ||
| In section one hundred and seventeen, the words from " or the regulations made thereunder " to " this Act ". | ||
| In section one hundred and nineteen, subsection (1), in subsection (3), the words from " or of section one hundred and twenty " to the end, subsections (5) and (6), in subsection (8), the words from " provided that " to the end, and subsection (10). | ||
| Section one hundred and twenty. | ||
| In section one hundred and twenty-one, in subsection (1), the definitions of " tramcar ", " owner ", " driver ", " prescribed ", " bridge authority ", " police authority ", " chief officer of police ", " police fund " and " salvage ", and subsection (2). | ||
| Section one hundred and twenty-two. | ||
| The Schedules. | ||
| 21 & 22 Geo. 5. c. 32 | Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 1931 | The whole act. |
| 23 & 24 Geo. 5. c. 14 | London Passenger Transport Act 1933 | In section fifty-one, subsection (2), in subsection (4), the words from " (b) that as regards " to " transferred to the said Commissioner of Police ", in subsection (5), paragraph (a), subsection (6) and, in subsection (7), the words " public service vehicles ". |
| Sections fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-seven and fifty-eight. | ||
| In section fifty-nine, in subsection (1), paragraph (a), in paragraph (c) the word " either ", the words " the Act of 1924 or ", and the words from " The provisions " onwards. | ||
| Sections sixty, sixty-one, sixty-three and sixty-four. | ||
| In section one hundred and seven, in subsection (1), in the definition of " Advisory Committee ", the words from " as constituted " to the end, and the definitions of " London Traffic Area ", " public service vehicle ", " express carriage ", " contract carriage " and " stage carriage ". | ||
| The Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Schedules. | ||
| 23 & 24 Geo. 5. c. 53 | Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933 | Part I. |
| The First Schedule. | ||
| 24 & 25 Geo. 5. c. 50 | Road Traffic Act 1934 | Sections one to twenty-two. |
| Sections twenty-six to thirty-eight. | ||
| In section forty-one, paragraphs (1) to (7) and (9) to (12). | ||
| In section forty-two, in subsection (1), the words " and shall be " onwards, and subsection (2). | ||
| The First and Second Schedules. | ||
| The Third Schedule, except the entries therein relating to subsection (2) of section fifty-seven, and to section one hundred and seven, of the Road Traffic Act 1930. | ||
| 25 & 26 Geo. 5. c. 47 | Restriction of Ribbon Development Act 1935 | Section sixteen. |
| In section twenty, subsection (2). | ||
| In section twenty-three, in subsection (2), the words from " and for the purposes " to the end. | ||
| In section twenty-five, in paragraph (2), the words " for any reference to section sixty-eight of the Public Health Act, 1925, there shall be substituted a reference to section one hundred and twenty of the Road Traffic Act, 1930 ", and paragraph (9). | ||
| 26 Geo. 5. & 1 Edw. 8. c. 23 | Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Act 1936 | The whole act. |
| 1 Edw. 8. & 1 Geo. 6. c. 5 | Trunk Roads Act 1936 | In the Second Schedule, the entries relating to sections forty-seven and forty-eight of the Road Traffic Act 1930, and section thirty of the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933. |
| In the Third Schedule, in Part I, the entries relating to section forty-six of the Road Traffic Act 1930, and sections one and eighteen of the Road Traffic Act 1934. | ||
| 1 Edw. 8. & 1 Geo. 6. c. 44 | Road Traffic Act 1937 | The whole act. |
| 1 Edw. 8. & 1 Geo. 6. c. 52 | Chairmen of Traffic Commissioners, &c. (Tenure of Office) Act 1937 | Section one. |
| 1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 37 | Street Playgrounds Act 1938 | The whole act. |
| 1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 44 | Road Haulage Wages Act 1938 | In section seven, subsection (4). |
| 1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 48 | Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1938 | Section seven. |
| 2 & 3 Geo. 6. c. 31 | Civil Defence Act 1939 | In section ninety-one, subsection (6). |
| 9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 13 | Finance (No. 2) Act 1945 | Section five. |
| 9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 26 | Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946 | In the Second Schedule, the entries relating to the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933, and the Road Traffic Act 1934. |
| 9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 28 | Assurance Companies Act 1946 | The whole act. |
| 9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 30 | Trunk Roads Act 1946 | In section three, subsection (1). |
| 9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 81 | National Health Service Act 1946 | In the Tenth Schedule, the paragraph relating to the Road Traffic Acts, 1930 and 1934. |
| 10 & 11 Geo. 6. c. 8 | Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Act 1947 | The whole act. |
| 10 & 11 Geo. 6. c. 27 | National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947 | In the Eleventh Schedule, the paragraph relating to the Road Traffic Acts, 1930 and 1934. |
| 10 & 11 Geo. 6. c. 49 | Transport Act 1947 | Sections fifty-seven and seventy-three. |
| In section one hundred and twenty-five, subsection (2). | ||
| 11 & 12 Geo. 6. c. 58 | Criminal Justice Act 1948 | In section forty-one, subsection (2). |
| 12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 32 | Special Roads Act 1949 | Section twelve. |
| In section sixteen, in subsection (1), the words from " and for prescribing " to the end. | ||
| 14 Geo. 6. c. 24 | Highways (Provision of Cattle-Grids) Act 1950 | Section six. |
| 14 Geo. 6. c. 39 | Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 | In section twenty-seven, subsection (1). |
| 15 & 16 Geo. 6. & 1 Eliz. 2. c. 55 | Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 | In the Fifth Schedule, the entry relating to the Road Traffic Act 1930. |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 13 | Transport Act 1953 | Section nine. |
| In section eighteen, in subsection (2), the words from the beginning to the end of proviso (a), and, in subsection (4), paragraphs (b) and (c). | ||
| In section twenty-five, subsection (2). | ||
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 33 | Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 | In section twelve, subsection (2). |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 36 | Post Office Act 1953 | In section eighty-seven, in subsection (1), the definition of " public service vehicle ". |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 45 | School Crossing Patrols Act 1953 | The whole act. |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 47 | Emergency Laws (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 | Sections seven and eight. |
| In section thirteen, the words " seven, eight ". | ||
| In the First Schedule, paragraphs 1 and 2. | ||
| 2 & 3 Eliz. 2. c. 64 | Transport Charges &c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1954 | In section nine, in subsection (1), the words " public service vehicles ". |
| 3 & 4 Eliz. 2. c. 18 | Army Act 1955 | In section one hundred and seventy-three, the words from " and section thirty-five " to the end. |
| 3 & 4 Eliz. 2. c. 19 | Air Force Act 1955 | In section one hundred and seventy-three, the words from " and section thirty-five " to the end. |
| 4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. 6 | Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1955 | In the First Schedule, the entry relating to the London Traffic Act 1924, paragraphs 3 and 4 of the entry relating to the Road Traffic Act 1930, and the entries relating to the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933, and the Road Traffic Act 1934. |
| 4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. 67 | Road Traffic Act 1956 | Sections one to forty-four (except subsection (5) of section four). |
| Sections forty-six to fifty-one. | ||
| In section fifty-two, in subsection (1), the words " the Minister or of ", subsections (2) and (3), and, in subsection (4), the words " under Part I of the Local Government Act, 1948, or ". | ||
| Section fifty-three. | ||
| In section fifty-four, subsections (1) and (2). | ||
| In section fifty-five, in subsection (1), the words from " and this Act " to the end, and subsections (3) and (4). | ||
| The Schedules. | ||
| 5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 29 | Magistrates' Courts Act 1957 | Section two and, in section six, in subsection (4), the word " two ". |
| 5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 42 | Parish Councils Act 1957 | Section four. |
| In section five, in subsection (1), the words " or any parking place " and, in subsection (4), the words " parking place (including any structure for use as a parking place) or other " and the words " parking place or other ", and subsection (5). | ||
| 5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 44 | National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1957 | In section one, subsection (2). |
| 5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 51 | Road Transport Lighting Act 1957 | In section eleven, in subsection (2), the words " and for the purposes of section eight of the Road Traffic Act 1934 ". |
| In section twelve, subsection (3). | ||
| In section eighteen, subsection (4). | ||
| Section twenty. | ||
| 6 & 7 Eliz. 2. c. 50 | Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958 | In section seven, in subsection (1), the definition of " public service vehicle ". |
| 6 & 7 Eliz. 2. c. 55 | Local Government Act 1958 | In the Eighth Schedule, paragraphs 32 and 34 and, in paragraph 35, the words " and 34 ". |
| 6 & 7 Eliz. 2. c. 64 | Local Government and Miscellaneous Financial Provisions (Scotland) Act 1958 | In the Fourth Schedule, paragraphs 18 and 20. |
| 7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 25 | Highways Act 1959 | In section two hundred and ninety-five, in subsection (1), the definition of " London Traffic Area ". |
| In the Twenty-second Schedule, the entry relating to the Highways (Provision of Cattle-Grids) Act 1950. |
Section 267(1) also revoked 5 orders and regulations, listed in part II of the eighteenth schedule to the act.[3]
| Citation | Short title | Extent of revocation |
|---|---|---|
| SR&O 1934/1400 | Metropolitan Traffic Area (Drivers' and Conductors' Licences) Order 1934 | In Article 2, the definitions of " the Metropolitan Traffic Area ", " the Traffic Commissioner ", " the Act of 1930 " and " public service vehicle ". |
| Part II. | ||
| SR&O 1940/2073 | Variation of Traffic Areas (Scotland) Order 1940 | The whole of the order. |
| SI 1955/1955 | Transfer of Functions (Roads, Bridges and Ferries) Order 1955 | In Article 6, paragraph (3). |
| In the First Schedule, in Part I, the entries relating to sections twenty-three, twenty-seven, thirty, forty-six, forty-seven, forty-eight and fifty-nine of the Road Traffic Act 1930, all the entries relating to the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933, the Road Traffic Act 1934, the Street Playgrounds Act 1938, and the School Crossing Patrols Act 1953, in the entry relating to the Special Roads Act 1949, the words " except subsection (6) of section twelve ", and in the entry relating to the Highways (Provision of Cattle-Grids) Act 1950, the words " except subsection (2) of section six " and Part II. | ||
| SI 1957/340 | Motor Vehicles (Variation of Speed Limit) Regulations 1956 | The whole of the regulations. |
| SI 1959/1587 | Metropolitan Traffic Area (Drivers' and Conductors' Licences) Order 1959 | The whole of the order. |
Amendments and later legislation
The act has been partially repealed by later road traffic legislation, including successive Road Traffic Acts and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. It was a consolidation statute and did not introduce radical policy changes, but subsequent amendments and reforms built on its structure.[4][5]
Parliamentary history
Reception and legal commentary
The act has been cited in legal texts and academic literature as an important consolidation measurement in twentieth-century British road law, concerning road deaths and injuries.[7][8] Contemporary annotated editions summarised its operation, and later scholarship references the act's role in developing subsequent legislation, including accident compensation and vehicle regulation legislation.[2][6][9]
