| Annex A |
| Calendar of events
affecting road traffic |
| |
| 1964-65:
Road Traffic Act 1964 - Wider powers for speed limits.
Trial 70 mph on motorways and other previously
de-restricted roads, 50 mph speed limit on selected roads
during summer. |
| |
| 1967:
Seat belts compulsory on new cars - Permanent 70 mph
speed limit on all roads. An offence to drink and attempt
to drive with over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. |
| |
| 1968-1969:
Transport Act 1968 allowed regulations on length of
drivers' working hours - 3 year old vehicles need test
certificate. |
| |
| 1970:
New regulations on lorry and PSV drivers' hours of work. |
| |
| 1973-1974:
Safety helmets compulsory for 2-wheeled motor vehicle
users - 50 mph national maximum speed limit, later
motorway 70 mph, dual carriageway 60 mph - Vehicle
lighting regulations. |
| |
| 1975:
Temporary 50 and 60 mph limits extended. |
| |
| 1976:
Licensing Scotland Act 1976 - extension of licensing
hours until 11 pm - effective from 13 December 1976. |
| |
| 1977:
50 and 60 mph limits raised to 60 and 70 mph. |
| |
| 1977:
Licensing Scotland Act 1976 - extension of Sunday opening
- effective from October 1977. |
| |
| 1978:
60 and 70 mph limits permanent - New rules on maximum
hours which may be worked by goods vehicle drivers. |
| |
| 1982:
New 2-part motorcycle test from 29 March - Application of
2 year limit on provisional motorcycle licence took
effect from 1 October. |
| |
| 1983:
Transport Act 1981 introduced evidential breath testing
and made seat belt wearing law for drivers and front seat
passengers of most cars and light vans. Learner motor
cyclists now only allowed to ride machines of up to 125
cc. |
| |
| 1984:
Regulations introduced requiring spray reducing devices
to be fitted to lorries and trailers. |
| |
| 1985:
In December Scottish Police Authorities introduced a
policy of breath testing all drivers in an accident
wherever possible. |
| |
| 1986:
All new cars manufactured from 1 October to be fitted
with rear seat belts. Seat belt legislation made
permanent. European Road Safety Year. |
| |
| 1987:
Legal requirement introduced requiring all newly
registered cars to be fitted with rear seat belts or
child restraints from 1 April. Government sets a target
to achieve a one-third reduction in road accident
casualties by the year 2000. |
| |
| 1988:
All coaches first used from 1 April 1974 using a motorway
must have 70 mph limiters fitted by 1 April 1991. |
| |
| 1989:
Penalty points increased for careless driving, driving
without insurance and failing to stop after or to report
an accident. Seat belt wearing by rear child passengers
became law in cars where appropriate restraints have been
fitted and are available. Accompanied motorcycle testing
became mandatory. |
| |
| 1990:
Compulsory basic training for motorcyclists introduced
and learner drivers banned from carrying pillion
passengers. High Risk Offenders Scheme for problem
drink-drivers extended. New regulations requiring those
accompanying learner drivers to be at least 21 years old
and to have held a licence for 3 years. Scottish Road
Safety Year. |
| |
| 1991:
Seat belt wearing by rear adult passengers became law in
cars where belts are fitted and available. New road hump
regulations introduced to reduce traffic speed. |
| |
| 1992:
Subsequent to the Road Traffic Act 1991, new road traffic
offences and penalties came into force, including
retesting of dangerous drivers. The Traffic Calming Act
1992 came into force enabling roads authorities to
introduce a wide range of traffic calming measures.
Requirement for minimum tread depth of 1.6mm introduced
for cars and light vans. All new goods vehicles over 7.5
tonnes fitted with 60 mph speed limiters. |
| |
| 1993:
First speed enforcement cameras introduced in Scotland.
The MOT test extended, including new checks on mirrors,
windscreen condition, fuel tanks, seat and door security
and number plates. |
| |
| 1994:
First 20 mph zones introduced in Scotland. Traffic
Calming (Scotland) Regulations came into force. |
| |
| 1995:
Pass Plus scheme introduced for new drivers which
encourages new drivers to take more lessons by offering
discount on motor insurance. |
| |
| 1996:
Driving theory test introduced from 1 July for car and
motorcycle learners. |
| |
| 1996:
Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1996 - requires newly
qualified drivers to retake the driving test if they
acquire 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of
passing their test - effective from 1 June 1997. |
| |
| 1996: Requirement
for coaches and minibuses to be fitted with seat belts
when carrying children on organised trips, including
journeys between home and school - effective from
February, 1997. End of concession, where seat belts are
fitted, whereby 3 children could share a double seat. |
| |
