Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27) 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 It superseded some earlier legislation, including the majority of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967.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.

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Text of statute as originally enacted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 act does not apply in Northern Ireland,[1] where the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (SI 1997/276)[2] makes similar provision.

Part 1: General provisions for traffic regulation

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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:

  • Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO),[3] known as Traffic Management Orders (TMO) in Greater London
  • Regulations outside Greater London
  • Regulations in Greater London
  • Experimental traffic schemes - these can be introduced for up to 18 months, to allow an authority to assess the impacts of a scheme such as traffic diversions.[4]

Part 3: Crossings and playgrounds

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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:

  • Pedestrian crossings
  • School crossings
  • Street playgrounds

Part 4: Parking places

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

  • Provision of off-street parking and parking on roads without payment
  • Control of off-street parking
  • Parking on highways for payment[6]
  • Provision of parking places by parish or community councils
  • Special parking provisions

Part 5: Traffic signs

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

  • General provisions
  • Provisions as to Greater London
  • Supplementary provision

Part 6: Speed limits

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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:

  • Various powers relating to speed limits including:
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

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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:

  • Bollards and other obstructions

Part 8: Control and enforcement

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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:

  • Traffic wardens
  • Penalties other than fixed penalties
  • Removal or immobilisation of vehicles
  • Enforcement of excess parking charges

Part 9: Further provisions as to enforcement

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

  • General provisions
  • Special provisions relating to Scotland

Part 10: General and supplementary provisions

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

  • Various supplementary powers including:
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

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The Act contains 14 schedules.

See also

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References

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  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
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