Transport Act 1980

42 Defences available to persons charged with certain offences

(1) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2) to prove that there was a reasonable excuse for the act or omission in respect of which he is charged.

(2) The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) sections 7(7), 14(6), 25(5) and 26(4);

(b) in the 1960 Act—

(i) so much of section 144(8) as relates to contravention of section 144(1)(a);

(ii) sections 146(2) and (3), 147(2) and 148(2);

(iii) so much of section 232(3) as relates to failure to comply with the requirement of section 232 (2) (b); and

(iv) section 239.

(3) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (4) to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of any offence under that provision.

(4) The provisions referred to in subsection (3) are—

(a) sections 4(6) and (7), 17(3). 18(9)(b). 19(5), 22(7) and 24(4);

(b) in the 1960 Act—

(i) so much of section 144(8) as relates to contravention of section 144(1)(b) ; and

(ii) sections 148(2) and 157(2).