There are many Port Authorities in Great Britain and it is not the intention of this SIM to list all of the Acts and various amendments relating to the Authorities. Inspectors should confirm with each Port Authority its current legislation and whether road traffic legislation applies. However, to illustrate some of the issues and complexities, reference is made to the British Transport Commission Act 1961. British Transport Commission Act 1961 and regulation 17 requiring workplaces to be organised so that vehicles and pedestrians can circulate safely and traffic routes are suitable for use.

The Act applies to Associated British Ports (ABP), the successor to the British Transport Commission. L24 Approved Code of Practice & Guidance, Workplace health, safety & welfare: Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992. The Road Traffic Act 1991 extended the scope of dangerous driving to include "other public place" as well as "road". Further guidance on the 1991 amendments can be found in OC 789/4. Wilkinson's Road Traffic Offences - commonly regarded as the definitive publication on road traffic offences and often referenced in Court.It should be noted that these regulations do not apply to ships - Regulation 3(1a). Further guidance

The Act contains definitions of a number of terms including that of a "road". For England and Wales, Section 192(1) of the Act defines a "road" as: "any highway and other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes." For Scotland, Section 192(2) of the Act defines a "road" as having the same meaning from the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 being: "any way (other than a waterway) over which there is a public right of passage (by whatever means) and includes the road's verge, and any bridge (whether permanent or temporary) over which, or tunnel through which, a road passes, and any reference to a road includes a part thereof". regulation 2 interpreting certain words and phrases used within the regulations including definitions of "workplace", "traffic route" and "public road"; regulation 11 requiring employer to authorise who can drive and operate powered vehicles and lifting appliances; The Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended (RTA) applies to England, Scotland and Wales. In simple terms, the Act applies to vehicles on the road where the public have access, however in practice this can be a complex matter to resolve.For ports that do not have their own Port Police, there may also be in place a protocol between the Port Authority and the local Police force establishing what activities the local Police force can undertake on the port.