(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke and re-enact with amendments the provisions of The Motorways Traffic Regulations 1959 and the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1971.
The principal amendments are as follows—
(1) The definitions of the constituent parts of a motorway in Regulation 3(1) are amended, introducing a specific definition of hard shoulder in Regulation 3(1)(e). The provisions in Regulations 7 and 9 as to stopping on a motorway are, in consequence, framed by reference to the hard shoulder.
(2) The restrictions on the use of the right hand or off side lane are amended so that they apply to a motor car with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and a heavy motor car constructed for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which has an overall length greater than 12 metres (Regulation 12(1)). These restrictions will apply on any motorway which has three or more traffic lanes where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction (Regulation 12(2)).