Saturday was world trivia day, but that doesn’t mean we are going to bring you on to a university challenge level of impractical knowledge. Instead, we have put together a small quiz on what to avoid doing on the road, who to contact if you are involved in an accident or witness dangerous driving and how in-car safety features work.
-
Is driving without shoes Illegal?
According to a study conducted by the RAC there is a large amount of uncertainty surrounding the legality of driving barefoot in the UK. Especially the myth surrounding driving with flip flops or high heels on. The Driving Standards Agency state that suitable shoes are particularly important when sitting behind the wheel. As lacking appropriate footwear can adversely affect your braking ability.
Answer:
No, it is not illegal to drive without shoes in the UK however, it is your responsibility as a driver to know what works for you, so while it is not necessarily illegal to drive without footwear on, you should bear in mind that performance varies from person to person.
-
What is Rat running?
Answer:
Rat running is the use of residential roads to bypass traffic instead of sticking to the main road specifically designed to handle varied volumes of traffic.
Although the term may be new the practice itself is certainly familiar to many. This affectionate use of the term ‘rat running’ refers to using road unintended as short cuts as routes to avoid traffic, which is a frequent method used by anyone with knowledge of the area.
The most common form of Rat running is the use of side roads. Residential and smaller roads often run alongside heavily congested ones, as such drivers with local knowledge can utilise these alternate routes out of habit to give the feeling of saving time.
Avoiding Traffic jams
Using exits intended for merging on motorways to bypass traffic without leaving the congested motorway.
-
Is using your horn between 11.30 pm and 7 am in a residential area illegal?
Despite Taxi drivers helpful toot to let you know, they’re outside, using your horn for any reason during this time frame can result in being reported. While this is loosely monitored this is still a driving offence you can be charged for.
-
What is the maximum speed you can drive a van on
a) A single-carriageway
b) A dual-carriageway
c) A motorway
On a single carriageway, the limit is set at 50mph, a dual is set to 60mph and on a motorway the limit is 70mph.
So if you’re sat behind a van that isn’t going as fast as you would like it’s not their fault they have no choice.
-
Parking on the pavement?
Answer,
Yes, this is illegal rule 244 of the highway code states that vehicles must not be fully or partly parked on the pavement unless specifically permitted by road signs.
-
Using an unfixed smartphone as a Satnav
In order to use any smartphone mapping app, the phone must be fixed to your windscreen or dashboard whichever does not impair the driver’s field of vision.
-
Can Dashcam footage be sent to the police?
Yes, it can any footage captured by a dashcam can now be sent to the police force in conjunction with initiatives such as Operation snap and the National Dash Cam Safety Portal.
https://gosafesnap.wales/
https://www.nextbase.com/en-gb/national-dash-cam-safety-portal/
-
What is the penalty for not wearing a seat belt?
The driver of a vehicle can face up to a £500 fine and 3 penalty points being awarded to their licence. Also, if a child who is under 14 is found to not be wearing their seat belt, the same fine is awarded.
Passengers over 14 can be fined for not wearing a seat belt of £500 and can be awarded a 2 point penalty.
However, some of the exemptions to wearing a seat belt are as follows;
- If you are reversing
- Driving a goods vehicle, on deliveries with no more than 50 meters between stops.
