We’ve got no doubt that you’ve got your driving laws down to more or less a tee at this point. However, there are few out there that can easily trip you up with a nasty fine when you least expect it. So, whether you’re driving a brand new car, or one you recently purchased from one of our online car auctions here at RAW2K, these are our picks for the top three driving laws that may have slipped your mind.
Slow and steady wins the race… or does it?
The RAC Foundation found that nearly 2.4 million speeding offences were committed in England and Wales between 2018-19. As a result, it probably won’t come as a shock to you to learn that speeding is the most commonly committed driving offence by UK vehicle owners. However, you might be surprised to learn that you can also find yourself with three points on your licence and a fine of £100 for driving too slowly in certain situations!
For example, if you’re coming off a slip road onto a motorway and you haven’t gathered enough speed to match the flow of traffic, this can be considered as ‘driving without due care and attention’, as other road users will need to adapt to your speed, which can be extremely dangerous. Sometimes, it’s good to feel the need for speed… within the parameters of the law of course.
Turn down the tunes
If you’re someone who’s partial to a rave behind the wheel, or putting on your own karaoke performance for all other road users to hear, you might want to rethink this habit. Although there’s no actual law that states that you can’t play loud music in your car, if the police think that your Freddie Mercury impression poses a distraction risk to you or other road users, you could find yourself slapped with a £100 fine, as well as three points on your licence. In worst case scenarios, refusing to turn down your music could also lead to your vehicle being seized by the authorities.
Having a splashing time
Given that you reside in the great nation of the United Kingdom, it’s more than likely that you’ve experienced your fair share of downpours, regardless of the time of year. Believe it or not though, during those days where it’s absolutely chucking it down, you actually have a responsibility as a driver to ensure those outside your vehicle stay dry.
Allow us to explain - no, that doesn’t mean that you have a legal obligation to pick up every stranger you see caught in the rain, but splashing them with water as they walk by a puddle is a big no-no in the eyes of the law. If you’re caught in the act of soaking a pedestrian by the authorities, you could be slapped with up to £5,000 in fines, as well as three points on your licence for ‘careless, aggressive or inconsiderate behaviour’. That’s sure to put a dampener on your day.
There you have it! All roadworthy vehicles are subject to these laws, including ones intended for scrap. If, by the off chance, you are in the market for a second hand vehicle, you’re in exactly the right place.
Whether you’re a mechanic or a private driver, we specialise in providing the best bargains on used vehicles. Our online car auctions are refreshed on a daily and weekly basis, and we include makes and models available from some of the world’s leading manufacturers like Volkswagen, Ford, Renault, and many more. Why not take a look around, and see what you can find? There’s always a bargain to be found!
