A CAR expert has revealed seven summer driving mistakes that could land you a fine of up to £5,000.
As summer begins and many of us head away on long holiday drives, motorists need to pay more attention to their driving to avoid a hefty fine.
A car expert has revealed seven summer driving mistakes that could land you a fine of up to £5,000GETTY_HUB
Handily, car experts at dash cam leader Nextbase have come up with all the little-known Highway Code rules that drivers need to know before heading to their holiday destination.
Driving in flip-flops or barefoot
It might feel too hot in your car to wear shoes, but the temptation to drive in flip-flops should be resisted.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code urges drivers to wear clothing and footwear that “do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.
If it is determined that your ability to control your vehicle is compromised by your footwear, you could end up fined up to £5,000, have nine points added to your licence, and have your licence suspended.
Packing too much luggage
Big road trips usually involve a lot of bags, but you should be careful about how these are packed.
The Highway Code states that all windows and windscreens be kept clear from obstruction.
So if your bags are piled so high you can’t see clearly out of any of your windows – even a single one in the back – you risk a £50 fine and three penalty points on your licence.
Keeping your windows closed and A/C off
With fuel still very expensive, it might be tempting to save some pennies by letting your car get very warm, with closed windows and the A/C off.
But doing so could put you on the wrong side of Highway Code rule 237, which states that a car must be kept “well ventilated” in hot weather to reduce drowsiness.
Not doing this could, in the worst case, result in a £5000 fine.
Driving with the music too loud
Long summer drives are a great time to enjoy your favourite tunes, but it’s crucial to maintain focus and prioritise safety.
The Highway Code emphasises that playing music at excessively high volumes can lead to distracted driving.
While there isn’t a specific legal limit for the maximum volume of your music, you may face penalties for driving while distracted, including a fine of up to £5,000 and a ban.
Driving while dazzled by the sun
Glare from the sun is a serious road safety issue, contributing to thousands of accidents every year.
Unsurprisingly, the Highway Code has something to say about this – rule 237 advises that drivers should slow down if dazzled by the sun and, if needed, stop their car completely.
Continuing to drive while dazzled could result in a £5000 fine and three points on your licence.
Using your phone to pay at a drive-thru
It’s natural to pair a road trip with a drive-thru purchase.
But the increasing number of people who use their phones as their main way of paying for things should be careful:
Using your phone to make a payment at a drive-thru is only permissible when your vehicle is stationary, the handbrake is engaged, and the engine is switched off.
Now, I’ve never heard of anyone actually being prosecuted for this one – and the idea is essentially comical.
But technically, you could face a fine of £200 and receive six penalty points on your licence. So if you have a card on you, it makes sense to use that instead.
Sleeping in your car
A lot of people will be driving off to summer festivals or events this year, where they will make the absolutely correct decision not to drive home after a few drinks.
But if you do find yourself in this position, it’s best not to lie down in the back of your car to sleep it off.
The law states that individuals in charge of a motor vehicle should not be intoxicated.
Being asleep in your car can be interpreted as being in charge if no one else is in the vehicle, leading to potential charges and a minimum of ten penalty points and a fine.
So the best course of action is to find somewhere else to sleep.
This comes after drivers were warned that witnessing a road accident could cost them a £1,000 fine, penalty points or even prison time.
Plus, drivers were warned that failing to update their licence address could land them a hefty fine.