Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Explained

Short Title:	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Type:	Act
Parliament:	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long Title:	An 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.
Year:	1984
Citation:	1984 c. 27
Territorial Extent:	Great Britain
Royal Assent:	26 June 1984
Amends:	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967
Status:	amended
Original Text:	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/contents/enacted
Use New Uk-Leg:	yes

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 It superseded some earlier legislation, including the majority of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967.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.

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

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

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

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^[5]
• Provision of parking places by parish or community councils
• Special parking provisions

Part 5: Traffic signs

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Act contains 14 schedules.

See also

• Highways Act 1980
• Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions

External links

• The full text of the Act at legislation.gov.uk

Notes and References

1. act . 1984 . 27 . Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 . 147 . 26 June 1984 . 12 March 2024 . This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland..
2. si . 1997 . 276 . The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 . 12 February 1997 . 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. 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