Little Known Driving Laws You Could Be Breaking By Accident

Whilst you might think you’re up to speed with the rights and wrongs of the road, there are some little known driving laws that could catch you out. Being a motorist comes with the responsibility of abiding by all the rules - even the smaller ones! From driving too slowly to a dirty number plate, there are some lesser-known laws that could catch you out in the UK. Read on to find out if you’re breaking any little known laws by accident, and save yourself a telling off by police - or even worse, an on-the-spot fine.  

Driving too slowly 

Whilst you might think that speeding is the only concern when it comes to how fast you’re going, driving too slowly is also considered a hazard. Repercussions if you're caught range from a simple verbal warning to a fine and penalty points.  

Splashing pedestrians 

It’s not big and it’s not clever! If you can safely avoid a puddle when there are pedestrians that would have been caught by a splash, you could also be avoiding three points on your license. 

Using your phone as a Sat Nav 

The Sat Nav functionality of a smartphone can be very handy, but if you’re caught touching the handset whilst driving, you could land yourself with a £200 fine and 6 penalty points. Make sure your route is pre-programmed and the phone is in a dedicated holder securely attached to the dashboard. 

Forgetting to put your headlights on when it’s dark 

It can be an easy mistake to make, especially when you set off during the day or in a well-lit area, but not having your lights on when it’s dark could see you face a £50 fine. 

Letting your dog roam free in the car

A dog with its head out of the car window enjoying the breeze might be a novelty, but it means that it’s unsecured within the vehicle. The law states that animals must be suitably restrained in something like a dog crate, harness, or behind a dog guard so that they cannot disturb the driver. 

A dirty number plate

Haven’t got round to clearing the winter road dirt off your car yet? A dirty car isn’t illegal, but a number plate obscured by grime is. Fines for this offence range from a £100 on-the-spot fine to up to £1000. 

Eating at the wheel  

If you get peckish on the road, it’s best to stop somewhere safe to have a bite to eat; snacking at the wheel can be construed as careless driving, and as such could land you 3-9 penalty points and a fine of £100.  

Flashing your headlights 

The Highway Code states that you should only flash your headlights to let another driver know that you’re there, and not to convey any other message - so whilst you might think you’re being helpful by warning other drivers of a speed camera in this way, it could land you in trouble!

Thinking of upgrading your car? 

Whether you’re a seasoned motorist or the laws are fresh in your mind from recently passing your test, we have a selection of quality used cars available from West Motors if you’re considering an upgrade. We offer car finance, used car warranty, and we’ll give you a great part exchange price too! Ge started by browsing our vast range here.