Taxis & Seatbelts

Seth Brundle

I just saw a woman get out of a taxi with ther two young kids (3 or 4 years old). None of them were wearing a seatbelt (including the taxi driver).
The law states that "Drivers will be liable for penalty points if they do not wear their seat belt or if they allow a person under 17 years of age to travel unrestrained in a vehicle".
In this case would the taxi driver get the points? What is the insurance industrys stance on this - do they insure cars where children are not in correct restraints, i.e. child seats? Should they cover them?

Sleipnir

The tax-driver is permitted not to wear a seatbelt but his
passengers must use them.
The taxi driver would get the points alright.

Not sure about the insurance thing though.....

John R

Sleipnir wrote:

The tax-driver is permitted not to wear a seatbelt but his
passengers must use them.

Not anymore.

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/transport/motoring/using_seatbelts_when_motoring.html

(With effect from 1st July, 2004 drivers of small public service vehicles (i.e., taxis) are required to wear seatbelts when driving these vehicles. Previously, they had been exempt from this provision).

Stark

From oasis.gov.ie:

There is a legal obligation to be restrained and this applies to drivers and passengers. Furthermore, there is an additional onus on drivers to ensure that persons under 17 are suitably restrained while they are in charge of the vehicle.Offences carry an on-the-spot fine of 60 euro. You must pay this fine within 28 days, or face an increased fine of 90 euro payable within 56 days of the offence. Two penalty points will be added to your licence if you opt not to go to court. If you are convicted in court for not wearing a seatbelt, four penalty points will be added to your licence and you will be liable to an 800-euro fine for a first offence.

Children over 4 years of age may occupy a forward facing front seat of a vehicle only if they are using a safety belt or an appropriate child restraint.

A person aged 12 years or more who is under 150 cm in height is not required to use a seatbelt even if this is provided. They are of course free to wear the belt but people under this height are outside the limits of the safety belt design parameters, so there is a possibility that a safety belt could be injurious to them in some circumstances. For this reason, the law allows them to choose for themselves to belt up or not to belt up. This is irrespective of whether they are sitting in the front or back of the vehicle.

It seems from the second one that the kids were okay as long as they were in the back. The woman would be responsible for herself and would get a fine. The taxi driver would get fined for himself and get penalty points if he didn't go to court.

Sleipnir

John R wrote:

Not anymore.

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/transport/motoring/using_seatbelts_when_motoring.html

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that. Cheers.