Whether you've newly acquired your driver's license or have held one for years, you're familiar with the myriad regulations that constitute the Highway Code.
Certain rules like wearing a seatbelt and adhering to red lights are ingrained in our minds from our driving instruction days. However, there are lesser-known regulations that might not be as easily recollected.
Here are 15 driving regulations in the UK that you might have overlooked or remain unfamiliar with...
Flashing your lights to give way
A common practice is to flash our vehicle's lights to signal other drivers to pass, yet this action is actually prohibited by law. Headlight flashes should solely serve the purpose of alerting other drivers to your presence.
Using your headlights for any other reason, such as indicating a speed trap to fellow drivers or to allow other drivers through gaps, could result in a minimum fine of £30 if caught.
Sleeping in your car whilst inebriated
If you've consumed excess alcohol, you'll likely avoid driving. But if you're stranded with nowhere else to stay, sleeping in your car until you're sober might seem like an option. Yet, this could lead to a drink driving fine. The law isn't very precise about this situation. While being asleep might suggest you're not in control of the vehicle, the police have previously used this as a reason to issue driving offence charges due to the expectation that those in charge of a motor vehicle should be sober.
Potential penalties include 10 points, a fine, possible jail time or possible 12-month ban.
Letting animals out of the car while broken-down on the hard shoulder
The Highway Code explicitly instructs that you should keep animals inside a broken-down vehicle when stranded on the hard shoulder. Releasing them should be reserved for genuine emergencies. Disregarding this rule and allowing your animal onto the hard shoulder, leading to an accident, could result in being charged with a driving offense.
Taking prescription medication before driving
The use of over-the-counter drugs has the potential to result in a driving ban. Here is a compilation of legally available medications that could lead to a drug-driving charge:
- Amphetamine
- Temazepam
- Morphine
- Oxazepam
- Clonazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
If you're caught driving after ay of these medications, you could face a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, a criminal record – and your licence will show you were convicted for drug driving and that will last for 11 years.
Parking within 10 meters of a junction
Parking in close proximity to a junction creates difficulties for all parties involved. Drivers approaching the junction must navigate around the parked vehicle, while those turning into the junction face the hazard of encountering an obstructed car on the opposite side of the road.
As a result, this action constitutes a driving offense. It's advisable to avoid this behaviour and adhere to parking regulations.
Honking your horn in anger
We've all encountered moments of frustration on the road, tempting us to express it through honking our horns. However, honking for reasons other than indicating your presence can result in a £30 fine.
Additionally, it's worth noting that using your horn is prohibited between 23:30 and 07:00 on a restricted road or when your vehicle is stationary.
Not demisting your windows
In addition to removing snow and ice from the exterior of your vehicle in winter, it's important to demist all interior windows and mirrors to ensure clear visibility from every angle.
Failing to comply with these measures can result in a penalty of up to £60 and three points added to your driving license.
Parking on the wrong side of the road at night
Parking on the wrong side of the road during the night is discouraged for a specific reason. Contrary to the misconception that it's about driving in and out of the space, the main concern is related to the potential for dazzling other drivers.
When you park and later depart, your headlights can dazzle other drivers, and your rear light reflectors won't be visible. This practice violates rule 248 of the Highway Code and constitutes a driving offense, which can result in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
Driving on the pavement unless you're turning into a driveway
According to Rule 244 of the Highway Code, parking on the pavement, even partially, is prohibited unless road signs indicate otherwise. In London, parking on the pavement is strictly forbidden, without exceptions.
Disregarding this rule is a common occurrence and can lead to inconveniencing pedestrians. Such parking behaviour constitutes a driving offense as it violates road regulations.
Eating/Drinking whilst driving
Although eating or drinking while driving might not be explicitly illegal, it is generally disapproved of. If you become distracted due to eating or drinking and subsequently lose control of your vehicle, leading to an accident, you could be subject to a £100 fine and receive three to nine penalty points on your driving record.
Warning other drivers about a speed trap
Motorists can be subjected to significant fines for alerting fellow drivers about police speed traps by flashing their headlights. While this action may seem like a courteous gesture, it carries the potential for substantial penalties if caught. Rule 110 of the Highway Code explicitly specifies that headlight flashes should only be used to signal one's presence to other road users and not for any other purpose. Warning other motorists of the presence of speed checks falls under the offense of obstructing a police officer.
Towing a vehicle at an incorrect speed
Speed limits are not flexible guidelines but rather strict regulations that drivers are obligated to follow. It's important to note that speed limits can vary based on the type of vehicle you're operating and whether you're towing another vehicle. For instance, individuals may overlook the fact that towing a caravan or trailer on a motorway should not exceed 60mph. This limitation is in place to ensure the safety of both you and fellow drivers sharing the road.
Windscreen wipers and washers not working
Surprisingly, a significant number of individuals are stopped by law enforcement due to the absence of washer fluid in their vehicle's water tank. Equally astonishing is the frequency with which people are pulled over because their rear windshield wipers are in disarray.
It's vital to emphasize that if your vehicle is equipped with these components, they must be functional. While rear windscreen wipers might not come standard in all vehicles such as saloon cars and panel vans, if they are present and operational, they need to be maintained as such.
Leaving a car parked with its engine running
Leaving your vehicle's engine idling while stationary is considered an offense under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This regulation aligns with rule 123 of the Highway Code, which stipulates that it's prohibited to keep the engine running needlessly while the vehicle is stopped on a public road.
However, it's important to clarify that you aren't required to turn off your engine at every red light. You're allowed to keep the engine running when stationary in traffic or when diagnosing faults.
Leaving a child alone in a car
As stated by gov.uk, it's against the law to leave a child alone if doing so endangers their well-being. Parents should assess the child's level of maturity before deciding to leave them alone in a vehicle.
The law emphasizes that parents can face legal action if they leave their child unsupervised "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health."