Passengers Travelling In Living Area Of Horseboxes

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sue777

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Does anyone know what the law is relating to persons travelling in the living area of horseboxes with/without cut through to cab? I have been told it is allowed with a cut through but the police have told me it is illegal whether or not the cab is cut through. HELP!
 
But seatbelts are not compulsary even in the front of a lorry if it was manufactured before 2001.
We travel in the living area and have never been stopped or questioned about it.
 
There aren't any seatbelts in the front of mine either! I have always been interested in the answer to this question as noone I've met seems to know the answer.
 
As far as I'm aware passengers may be carried in living area provided
a) Lorry has cut through (direct communication between driver and passengers required)
b) The seating does NOT face forward.
 
Have you checked with your insurance about whether people travelling in the living would be covered in the event of an accident? I would go down that route if you can't get any info elsewhere. If you are covered then you should be ok and within the law i would think, if not - it's a bad idea whether it's legal or not. It's all very well travelling and never being stopped or questioned, but if anything did happen and your insurance was invalid you would be in trouble, especially if anyone was seriously injured.
 
Thankyou 4faulter, that means I am ok then.
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Yes living is accessed via cut through. Not that I ever really carry people in the living its just nice to know I can if needed. Thanks.
 
I am reasonably certain it's allowed, but do beware, someone I know of leaned on the door and fell out, and the suction from under the lorry dragged them under the back wheels to their death.
I'm insistent the door is bolted from the inside and no-one goes near it as a result.
Can't see them being able to prosecute you as it's only like a bus or van..
Sounds like an over zealous job's worth policeman to me!
 
Thanks everyone but is anyone an insurance agent or a member of the police force? I think insurance companies will decide whatever they want unless specified and the police will just say "no" if I ask them because it's safer for them to do that. I think the story of someone falling out and going under the wheels has put me off the idea now anyway!
 
This is actually a rather complicated area of the law. There are specific rules for motor homes (which is about the closest you can get to a horsebox with living) which state that if seatbelts are fitted in the living they must be worn...however there is no legal requirement for them to be fitted....BUT...the police can prosecute anyone, in any vehicle, if they consider them to be being carried in a dangerous manner....I.e unrestrained
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Hmmmm...clear as mud
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We got pulled over by VOSA and the Council at one of their weighbridges and they never said anything about me being sat in the living (which has a cut thru) and the Police were there as well.
 
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