5 Highway Code laws you might not know

We all know how it works – you spend months revising for your driving test, learning every aspect of the Highway Code. Then as soon as you pass your test, it all goes out the window and you pick up some bad habits. It happens, and we like to think we’re still driving safely, but you might be surprised to hear of these five Highway Code laws you might not know.

It’s illegal to flash your lights to give way

Chances are, you do this regularly. We’re trying to be helpful and flash our headlights to let another driver know that they can go, and it gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling of having done a nice thing on our morning commute. However, the minimum fine for being caught flashing your headlights for anything other than warning other drivers of your presence is £30.

Suddenly it doesn’t seem like a good idea, does it?

Clean your car!

If your car is looking a little grubby, now might be the time to go through a carwash. Did you know it is illegal to have mud or dirt obscuring your number plate? You could be hit with a £100 on the spot fine, and the maximum penalty is £1000!

In a similar vein, if you don’t clear the snow off the roof of your car, you could be looking at 3 points on your license and a £60 fine. This is because it runs the risk of falling and obscuring your view or that of another driver.

Paying with your phone in a drive-thru

Although using Apple Pay or similar seems like the easiest way to pay for your food without having to scramble for change, you could be given a £1000 fine, or six points on your license if you are caught doing this in a drive-thru.

The only way around this is if you turn off your engine and apply your handbrake, as otherwise, it counts as using your mobile phone while driving – something that has been clamped down on very heavily in new laws.

Aggressive driving carries a heavy fine

You may be surprised to know that if you splash a poor pedestrian with a puddle on your drive, you could end up with three points on your license and the case could even go to court, landing you with a fine between £100 and £5,000.

If another driver annoys you and you are seen swearing or making inappropriate hand gestures at them, you could get a fine for 75% of your weekly income!

Beep your horn in stationary traffic, or for any other reason other than alerting traffic of your presence, and your fine could range anywhere between £30 and £1000.

Cyclists can ride two-abreast

When it comes to cyclist safety, you might be a little rusty, especially if you’re not a cyclist yourself. It may surprise you to know that cyclists can legally ride two-abreast, as long as they’re not on a narrow road, a busy road, or a bend. If you’re a driver and are annoyed by the cyclists riding together on the road, it’s important to know that they’re not breaking the law before you lose your temper.

In the world of transport, things are always changing. So it’s important to try and keep aware of these changes, to ensure that you’re always being safe and sticking to the law.

“I didn’t know it wasn’t allowed” isn’t an excuse that works in court, so it’s better to be clued up where possible.

Hope this helps!

Member Guest Post by: Clay Morrison