"Driving Myths"
This Article: Dealer News / Industry News
Separating fact from fiction about driving in the UK
No matter how long
you have been driving, you may have heard many old wives
tales about driving in the UK from family members, your
driving instructor or well-meaning friends, but what is
the truth?
No matter how long
you have been driving, you may have heard many old wives
tales about driving in the UK from family members, your
driving instructor or well-meaning friends, but what is
the truth?
Read our top five
driving myths, as we put the record straight.
1) Is it illegal to eat or drink whilst driving?
You may see drivers
eating a quick snack or drinking coffee whilst driving.
If you have control of your car whilst eating or
drinking, it is not illegal, but it is not advised.
2) Is it illegal to use your phone to pay at a drive-thru?
Sadly, this one is
illegal and carries a hefty fine if caught. Legally,
when paying at a drive-thru you should put your
handbrake on and switch your engine off and do not
forget to take your keys out of the ignition.
3) Is it illegal to splash pedestrians as you drive by them?
If this has happened
to you in the past, then yes, the driver was breaking
the law. It is a criminal offence, commonly known as
‘driving without reasonable consideration for other
persons” and if convicted, could result in three points
and a fine up to £5,000.
4) Is it illegal to wear earphones while driving?
We often see younger
drivers using earpieces to chat on their phones
hand-free. Whilst there is no law stopping you from
doing this, wearing earphones or an earpiece could make
it difficult to hear car horns, emergency vehicles and
increase the risk of an accident. Whilst it is not
illegal, it is not recommended.
5) Is it illegal to run a red light if you are letting an emergency vehicle through?
When the blue lights
go on, your first reaction may be to move out of the
way, but running a red light to do so is illegal. The
Highway Code states drivers must take “appropriate
action” to allow emergency vehicles to pass, while
“complying with all traffic signs”. Failure to do this
could result in an on-the-spot fine and three points.
1) Is it illegal to eat or drink whilst driving?
You may see drivers
eating a quick snack or drinking coffee whilst driving.
If you have control of your car whilst eating or
drinking, it is not illegal, but it is not advised.
2) Is it illegal to use your phone to pay at a drive-thru?
Sadly, this one is
illegal and carries a hefty fine if caught. Legally,
when paying at a drive-thru you should put your
handbrake on and switch your engine off and do not
forget to take your keys out of the ignition.
3) Is it illegal to splash pedestrians as you drive by them?
If this has happened
to you in the past, then yes, the driver was breaking
the law. It is a criminal offence, commonly known as
‘driving without reasonable consideration for other
persons” and if convicted, could result in three points
and a fine up to £5,000.
4) Is it illegal to wear earphones while driving?
We often see younger
drivers using earpieces to chat on their phones
hand-free. Whilst there is no law stopping you from
doing this, wearing earphones or an earpiece could make
it difficult to hear car horns, emergency vehicles and
increase the risk of an accident. Whilst it is not
illegal, it is not recommended.
5) Is it illegal to run a red light if you are letting an emergency vehicle through?
When the blue lights
go on, your first reaction may be to move out of the
way, but running a red light to do so is illegal. The
Highway Code states drivers must take “appropriate
action” to allow emergency vehicles to pass, while
“complying with all traffic signs”. Failure to do this
could result in an on-the-spot fine and three points.
This Article: Dealer News / Industry News