Five Surprising Illegal Driving Offences – Are You Guilty?
As most of us are honest, law-abiding citizens, it may come as a surprise if you are pulled over by the police for a driving offence. However, many driving offences seem like a good deed but are actually an offence. Furthermore, there are seemingly harmless activities that actually are a problem.
Are you guilty of any of these five surprising driving offences?
The Top Five Surprising Driving Offences
1. Letting animals out of a vehicle on a hard shoulder
If you have broken down on a hard shoulder and are awaiting recovery, then it may seem like common sense to let your dogs or other pets out of the vehicle for some fresh air. However, it is an offence to let animals out of a vehicle of the hard shoulder.
You should only let your animals out of the car in an emergency situation. If your pet causes an accident while is on the hard shoulder, then you may face a severe penalty charge.
2. Flashing your lights to give way
Letting someone out at a junction may seem like a kind gesture but flashing your lights at a driver should only be used as a warning to drivers of your presence, not as a way to give way. Furthermore, flashing your lights is open to interpretation and may confuse road users. As well as this, some fraudsters will cause deliberate crashes if you flash them, as you will be in the wrong.
If an accident arises as a result of you flashing to give way, then it may be considered a driving offence.
3. Sleeping in the car while under the influence of alcohol
It may seem like a sensible idea to sleep off the alcohol you have consumed instead of drink-driving, but this is still an offence. The law states that anyone in charge of a vehicle must not be inebriated. Even when you are asleep, you are still, technically, in charge of the vehicle. If police find you to be over the alcohol limit, then you can charge you with a driving offence without you actually driving.
4. Driving a van over 50mph on a single carriageway
It may seem natural to keep up with traffic while you are driving a van, but non-car-derived vans have strict speed limits in place. Van drivers must ensure their vehicle does not exceed 50mph on a single carriageway, 60mph on a dual carriageway and 70mph on a motorway.
5. Parking on pavement
The Highway Code states that cars must not park on pavements unless there is a specifically dedicated sign that permits it. It may seem less obstructive to park halfway on the pavement instead of on the road, but this is actually illegal. You can only drive on the pavement if it turns into a driveway.