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Mechanically propelled vehicles

  • 13-11-2012 6:33pm
    #1
    Trick of the Tail
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭


    What's the position, I wonder, on these 'Segues' that people ride around on lately?

    Obviously they're mechanically-propelled vehicles, and I thought it was against the law to conduct such a vehicle on a footpath.

    Also, shouldn't they be taxed and insured?

    Or is there an exemption for them in the Road Traffic Acts?

    A


Comments

  • #2
    Victor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,577 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    alinton wrote: »
    What's the position, I wonder, on these 'Segues' that people ride around on lately?
    Segway.

    Previous threads:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81546714
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=60189026
    Obviously they're mechanically-propelled vehicles, and I thought it was against the law to conduct such a vehicle on a footpath.

    Also, shouldn't they be taxed and insured?

    Or is there an exemption for them in the Road Traffic Acts?

    A
    Use by the Garda would appear to be OK, but it may be problematic for anyone else. It would appear they do not have type-approval as vehicles.


  • #3
    Trick of the Tail
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭Trick of the Tail


    The gardai are exempt from the laws of the land? I thought the constitution specified that laws should be applied equally to everybody.

    I wonder what would happen if a member of the public was knocked over and injured by a Garda riding a Segway on a footpath - as nearly happened to a friend recently.

    A.


  • #4
    Paulw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    alinton wrote: »
    The gardai are exempt from the laws of the land?

    No, but in the course of their duties, the Road Traffic Act does not apply to them.
    alinton wrote: »
    I wonder what would happen if a member of the public was knocked over and injured by a Garda riding a Segway on a footpath

    Same thing as any accident. A claim would be filed, and if deemed correct, an insurance payout would be made.


  • #5
    Condatis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 651 ✭✭✭Condatis


    alinton wrote: »
    What's the position, I wonder, on these 'Segues' that people ride around on lately?

    Obviously they're mechanically-propelled vehicles, and I thought it was against the law to conduct such a vehicle on a footpath.

    Also, shouldn't they be taxed and insured?

    Or is there an exemption for them in the Road Traffic Acts?

    A

    Well under current regulations, as I understand them, a Segway is not considered to be a "Mechanically Propelled Vehicle" to fall under that classification a vehicle would need to have four wheels.

    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0234.html

    Segways, so far as I know have two wheels.

    I expect that this regulation will be modified considering the speed that these vehicles can attain.

    Addendum: I should have written [/I]at least four wheels.


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,620 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Condatis wrote: »
    Well under current regulations, as I understand them, a Segway is not considered to be a "Mechanically Propelled Vehicle" to fall under that classification a vehicle would need to have four wheels.

    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0234.html

    Segways, so far as I know have two wheels.

    I expect that this regulation will be modified considering the speed that these vehicles can attain.

    Addendum: I should have written [/I]at least four wheels.

    Those regulations that you're quoting are only concerned with a narrow section of the law. The rules that dictate who should and should not have a driving licence, compulsory insurance and display registration plates make no distinction between a vehicle with one, two or four wheels.

    An MPV is defined in the RTA 1961, a minister cannot alter the definition by a Statutory Instrument, it would require amending legislation.....

    “mechanically propelled vehicle” means, subject to subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including—

    (a) a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used

    (b) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical

    but not including a tramcar or other vehicle running on permanent rails;


    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/sec0003.html#sec3

    By any interpretation, a Segway is a mechanically propelled vehicle. It's designed to be propelled by an electric motor hence it is an MPV.


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  • #7
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,620 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Paulw wrote: »
    No, but in the course of their duties, the Road Traffic Act does not apply to them.

    The Gardai do not have a blanket exemption from the RTA, they can be charged and convicted if found to be driving while over the alcohol limit (S.49) or driving dangerously (S.53) or carelessly (S.52).

    They are exempt from the requirement to have insurance and they can break traffic lights and speed limits.


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