Disobeying these simple driving laws could cost you almost £20,000, explains lawyer
As drivers, one of the most important things we must do is learn the laws of the road, however, there are certain road legalities that many drivers are unaware of, which could easily land them in hot water with the authorities.
Not only that, but driving offences are the only criminal offence where police officers take initial accounts at the roadside, without any legal representation.
In a bid to remind drivers of the simple laws they must comply with, the fuel card specialists at Right Fuel Card have teamed up with Charlotte Le Maire at LMP Legal who has shared her expert advice.
Charlotte comments: "Many drivers are unaware of the fact that any action or comment made at the roadside after a collision will undoubtedly impact the outcome of the case, and often leads to not only irreparable consequences for the driver themselves, but also the company, if they’re driving for work, and senior individuals within that company.
“The roadside following a collision is not only when a driver is at their most vulnerable, but it’s the only situation where drivers are often questioned without the benefit of legal advice or representation. Most drivers incriminate themselves within minutes of a collision occurring, which makes it a lot harder to provide a strong defence further down the line.”
With this in mind, Charlotte shares her essential tips to stay on top of the law whilst driving:
Get rid of distractions
Everyone knows that you must never use a mobile phone or any other device whilst driving, but it's not just when you’re on the move that this is illegal. Charlotte explains:
"If you're caught using a mobile phone, tablet, or other electronic devices, not only whilst your car is moving, but also when you’re stationary at traffic lights, queueing in traffic, in a car where the engine turns off when motionless, or even in the passenger seat whilst supervising a learner driver, you’re breaking the law.
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"Whether you’re holding a device that’s in flight mode with no information coming through, or checking Google maps to make sure you’re on the right route, using a device is a serious violation of the highway code and is not only extremely dangerous, but can lead to disqualification, or a hefty fine of up to £2500.
"To avoid fines and dangerous situations, we’d advise keeping your phone on flight mode and out of sight whilst in your vehicle."
Stick to the speed limit
Another should-be simple rule to follow, however many drivers face speeding charges every year, Charlotte says:
"Perhaps one of the most obvious tips we can give, and one of the very first things we learn in driving lessons, but speed limits are there for a reason. According to government statistics, speeding contributes to around one in four fatal road accidents and kills or injures 54 people every single week.
"You should always obey the speed limit, and be aware of when the limits change as you approach different roads. You should be extra mindful in icy conditions like we're currently facing, as it can take up to ten times longer to a complete stop, and it’s much easier to lose control.
"If you’re caught speeding, you'll not only be left with points on your license and a potential fine of up to £2,500, but if it leads to an accident, you could be facing prison."
Keep on top of maintenance
There are many simple checks you should regularly do to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive, Charlotte comments:
"If you’re driving a vehicle which is deemed to be in a dangerous condition, you could be fined £2,500. Keeping on top of regularly testing your lights, battery, screen wash, brakes, and more simple car maintenance checks will help ensure that there are no big surprises when your MOT comes around, and you're able to keep your vehicle in a safe condition. If you’re caught on the road with tyres that aren’t legally roadworthy you could face fines of up to £10,000!"
Know the laws, and the highway code
Every year new laws, rules and regulations are introduced, and drivers must keep on top of these to make sure they’re not left in the dark. Charlotte says:
"Whilst it might feel overwhelming to keep on top of ever changing regulations, it is pivotal that all drivers invest time into doing so, to ensure that they’re complying with the law whenever they're on the road.
"Laws and rules introduced in 2023 include the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) extension, the pavement parking ban in Scotland and the HGV levy payment. Updates to the highway code included the latest guidance on safe passing distances, clearer advice on mobile phone usage and potential £100 fines for drivers who block the road due to running out of fuel."
David James, fuel card expert and Sales Director at Right Fuel Card, comments: "You must always be prepared for the journey ahead, and running out of fuel can be very stressful, but also dangerous to you and other drivers if you end up blocking the road. Not only this, but letting a fuel tank run dry can also cause bigger, more expensive problems in the long run, so ensuring your tank is always topped up has long term benefits.
"Ensure you follow our expert guidance and stay on the right side of the driving law, to avoid dangerous situations, hefty fines and points on your licence!"
Right Fuel Card has teamed up with LMP Legal to provide a new and exclusive service, Right Protect, a dedicated 24/7 helpline offering specialist legal advice to users involved in road accidents.
For more driving top tips, please visit: www.rightfuelcard.co.uk/news.
Image credit: Right Fuel Card
