Whereas many Brits take into account themselves assured drivers, that doesn’t imply they aren’t responsible of believing and following a couple of false guidelines on the highway.
Over the previous three months, searches for ‘is driving barefoot unlawful’ and ‘can you utilize water as an alternative of coolant’ have elevated by 50% and 49%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings, they will in some instances be unsafe and incur potential fines.
So, to assist motorists separate truth from fiction, the automotive specialists at Vertu have analysed search information to disclose and debunk 4 of the most typical driving myths.
Each month, over 5,000 Brits search to see whether or not driving barefoot is prohibited. The excellent news for these with a penchant for driving with out sneakers is that it isn’t unlawful. However that doesn’t essentially imply it’s protected to do, both.
Carrying smart footwear is far safer than driving barefoot. Put on flat, thin-soled sneakers that allow you to really feel the pedals extra simply. And ensure your sneakers can not slip off your toes simply, in order that they don’t turn out to be a distraction when driving.
Additionally, at all times keep away from carrying excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot tougher to manage your automobile.
Fable: You should utilize water as an alternative of coolant
When your automobile is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as an alternative of correct coolant. Nevertheless, water lacks anti-corrosive components which can trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and injury.
Nevertheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely possibility, use distilled water. In contrast to faucet water, which comprises minerals that may hurt your engine, distilled water has no impurities. As soon as the emergency is over, flush out all of the water and refill it with coolant. In case you are nervous concerning the situation of your automobile after utilizing water as a coolant, then you need to get a summer time examine.
To ensure you don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, preserve some engine coolant within the boot of your automobile for emergencies.
Fable: You’ll be able to’t eat and drive
Legally talking, there’s nothing stopping you from consuming and driving. Nevertheless, in case your snacking turns into a distraction, it may very well be thought of careless driving. In case you are discovered to be driving carelessly, you might be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot advantageous and three factors in your licence.
Should you do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that might steal your consideration from the highway. If that’s al you could have, then it’s most likely greatest to drag over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You’ll be able to drive with a cracked windscreen
Whereas there isn’t a selected regulation on cracked windscreens, it’s a motoring offence if the crack obstructs your view. If caught, you might face a £100 advantageous and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In keeping with MOT guidelines, your windscreen shouldn’t have any greater than 40mm of harm anyplace. Even a 10mm crack straight within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient may end up in MOT failure.
Should you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you would possibly face extra extreme driving fees. The accident may very well be thought of your accountability as you had impaired visibility.
There you could have it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
