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Driving Law Myths
02 March 2020
There are some driving laws that seem to drift between myths and folklore with no one really knowing whether they are true or not. If you ask someone if splashing a pedestrian whilst driving is an illegal offence, they could say that’s true, ask someone else and they’ll say that’s just a myth and doesn’t exist. At Marshall Leasing we want our fleets to have clarity when it comes to road laws which is why we’ve put together a list of the most common driving laws that have motorists in a spin.
Starting with splash gate. After a fresh deluge of rain, avoiding puddles can be a tricky task and you may come across the unfortunate event where you and a pedestrian pass each other next to a ‘splash zone’. An occurrence that lasts a second may seem nothing more than an unlucky incident. However, whether accidentally or intentionally, if you are caught splashing a pedestrian you could find yourself with a £5,000 fine and up to nine points on your licence. So maybe approach your next big puddle with a little bit more caution.
From splashing to flashing your car lights, where does the law stand? You may use a flash of your headlights to say thank you, give way or warn other drivers of a danger ahead. But according to the highway code you should only flash drivers to let them know you’re there, if required, but you should “not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users”. However, before you start panicking the next time you flash to give way, punishments are only used when it is used aggressively or used to warn drivers about upcoming speed traps as it is argued this is “obstructing an officer in the course of their duties”.
Looking to have a quick snack on the road but worried it will land you with a big fine? Relax, eating and drinking (non-alcoholic) is not illegal whilst driving as long as you remain in complete control of your car. If a bite of a chocolate bar results in dangerous driving, you could be fined up to £100 and three points on your licence. If it is a direct cause of an accident this could jump up to a £5,000 fine and up to nine points on the licence.
Finally, when giving someone a lift in your car you may ask for some money to cover the petrol. However, if you start to make a profit of giving people a lift then you could be considered to be operating a taxi without a licence. This could land you with a £2,500 fine and your driving licence immediately becoming invalidated.
At Marshall Leasing, we are always on hand to give our customers advice and guidance on the latest laws and legislations affecting your leased vehicles and fleets. If you would like to find out more about us or what other services we offer, visit our ‘Driver Services’ page here or contact us directly on 01480 414541.
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