Many of us have heard other people’s opinions of what is and isn’t illegal regarding driving. Still, if the views are not from a traffic officer, it is wise to read up on your highway code before finding yourself in trouble! Here are some of the common driving myths explained.

Is it against the law to eat or drink while driving?

Many things fall under the careless driving category but may not be an offence on their own, such as eating or drinking while driving.  Studies found that motorists eating while driving were over 40% slower, and those drinking were 22% slower and showed 18% higher erratic lane driving. Should an unfortunate accident happen, and it is found that you are not paying attention because you are eating or drinking, then a careless driving prosecution can follow. If you feel the need to eat or drink while on the road, it is always safest to pull over at your soonest and safest opportunity.

Is it against the law to smoke or vape while driving?

Smoking or vaping alone while driving may not be illegal, but should it cause an issue or be the reason you do not avoid a hazard, you can be prosecuted.  Smoking is prohibited if you are driving with children under 18. The law on vaping is not yet clear. Smoking while driving can cause many issues, from dropping a lit cigarette and causing you to panic. You could throw a lit cigarette from a window, and it could land back into your car or one behind, causing a possible fire. You may take your eyes off the road looking for a lighter or drive one-handed while smoking and changing gear, not being fully in control. With vaping, the massive plumes of steam can cause visibility problems both inside and outside of the car and the one-handed steering can cause issues.

Are Phone Sat Navs Illegal?

In general, as long as your sat nav is on your phone maps or a dedicated sat nav system, as long as it is in a fixed position with a device to your dashboard and does not interfere with your forward vision, then it is not illegal. With your mobile phone, you should not interfere with it when using maps while driving as it will be considered an offence and will land you with penalty points and a fine if caught.

Is it illegal to have the light on in a car while driving?

Many of us have heard this one, especially from our parents, on long road trips as children, but it is not illegal. However, they were right in one sense. The Police can pull you over if they consider that having the light on in the car is causing a distraction to the driver and ask you to turn the light off.

Is it illegal to have open alcohol in a car?

In the UK, it is not illegal to have open alcohol in a car for passengers to drink and where drivers are under the drink drive limits.  It is illegal to drink alcohol when supervising a learner driver.

Is it illegal to drive with headphones on?

It is not illegal to drive with headphones, but it could become part of a prosecution for careless driving or for driving without due care and attention, should a Police officer find a reason to believe that without wearing them, you would have been more attentive and heard sirens or horns, for example, especially if you are listening to loud music which can be very distracting.

Is it ok to make a phone call using a hands-free system?

Most modern cars will have Bluetooth systems that connect to your mobile phone when you enter your car, but older cars will not have these and will need them retrofitted. Using your hands or hand (on a phone) to answer a call is illegal, so that means even using a speaker phone. If caught, there are 6 points and a £200 fine. However, it isn’t illegal for you to have a hands-free conversation while driving if your passenger has a call on speakerphone. The law is around touching your phone to make or answer the call.

If a speed camera hasn’t flashed, does it mean I’ve not been caught?

Not all speed cameras take photographs and have flash settings. The ones on smart motorways and highways that capture average speeds are infrared and capture speeds while travelling toward the camera, not as you pass it, like the Gatso photo-type camera. So do not be fooled. Stay below the speed limit to avoid any confusion.

Are you allowed to drive 10% mph over the speed limit?

This has been a myth for many years, but there is no longer any room for error; 1 mph over the speed limit can land you in trouble. Of course, it would be a bad day at the office if a police officer prosecuted a driver at 31 mph on a 30mph quiet road with a clean driving licence of 20 years, but it could happen. The +10% has gone; you can no longer rely on officers’ discretion on 77mph on a 70mph limit.

How many drinks can I have and still drive?

Blood alcohol levels vary for every individual; what one person can drink may be very different to another to be safe to drive. Men are said to be able to consume slightly more alcohol than women, but again, it would depend on many issues. To remove doubt, don’t drink any alcohol before driving.

Does my fully comprehensive insurance policy cover me when driving other cars?

It is always wise to check your insurance policy thoroughly before committing to the contract, but generally, a fully comprehensive policy allows you to drive another car with the owner’s permission. The other car has to be insured by the keeper or owner, and you may find that you are only insured third party while driving it. You will have to check your policy to confirm; do not assume.