1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), this Order shall come into operation on the expiration of two months from the day on which it is made.
(3) Articles 55 and 56 and Article 75(2) so far as it relates to—
(a)the [1978 c. 53.] Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978;
(b)the provisions of the Order of 1981 and Article 4 of the [1982 NI 18.] Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 relating to Article 174A of the Order of 1981;
(c)paragraph 22 of Schedule 3 to the Order of 1995; and
(d)Article 61(1), (2) and (4),
shall come into operation on such day or days as the Department may by order appoint.
2.—(1) The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
(2) In this Order—
“carriageway” means a way constituted or comprised in a road being a way over which the public have a right of way for the passage of vehicles;
“constable” means a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary or the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve;
“the Department” means the Department of the Environment;
“designated parking place” means a parking place designated by order under Article 15;
“disabled person’s vehicle” means a vehicle lawfully displaying a badge of a form prescribed under section 14(1) of the [1978 c. 53.] Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978;
“driver”, where a separate person acts as a steersman of a motor vehicle, includes that person as well as any other person engaged in the driving of the vehicle;
“enactment” includes any order, regulation, rule, bye-law or other instrument made under a statutory provision;
“excess charge” in relation to an off-street parking place has the meaning given in Article 13(3) and in relation to a designated parking place has the meaning given in Article 16(1);
“experimental traffic control scheme” means a scheme under Article 5;
“the Highway Code” has the meaning assigned to it by Article 51(7) of the Order of 1995;
“initial charge” in relation to an off-street parking place has the meaning given in Article 13(3) and in relation to a designated parking place has the meaning given in Article 16(1);
“motor vehicle” means, subject to Article 6 of the Order of 1995, a mechanically propelled vehicle (not being a tramcar or other vehicle running on permanent rails, or a trolley vehicle) which is intended or adapted for use on roads;
“off-street parking accommodation” means parking accommodation for vehicles otherwise than on roads;
“off-street parking place” means a parking place other than a parking place on a road;
“the Order of 1981” means the [1981 NI 1.] Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;
“the Order of 1995” means the [1995 NI 18.] Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;
“parking attendant” has the meaning assigned to it by Article 25;
“parking place” means a place where vehicles or vehicles of any particular class may wait;
“parking meter” has the meaning assigned to it by Article 16(2)(a);
“the Police Authority” means the Police Authority for Northern Ireland;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;
“public road” means a road which is maintainable by the Department, and includes any part of such a road and any bridge or tunnel over or through which such a road passes;
“road” includes a public road and any street, carriageway, highway or roadway to which the public has access;
“the Road Traffic Orders” means the Order of 1981, the Order of 1995 and this Order;
“special road” has the meaning assigned to it by Article 2(2) of the [1993 NI 15.] Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993;
“statutory provision” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954;
“traffic” includes the passage of animals on a road;
“traffic regulation order” means an order under Article 4;
“traffic sign” has the meaning assigned to it by Article 28;
“trailer” means a vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle;
“trolley vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use without rails under power transmitted to the vehicle from some external source (whether or not there is in addition a source of power on board the vehicle);
“vehicle” includes a cycle and a trailer.