After completing your test and becoming road legal, you are expected to understand and adhere to the laws of the road. Many are in place to protect yourself and the other road users around you. These laws are regularly checked and updated over time. However, there are a few unusual driving laws you may not have heard of. Check out the list below, did you know about these?
- Driving slowly
Over the years, millions of pounds have been spent on highlighting the risks involved in speeding. Although this is a well-needed campaign to educate road users on the risks surrounding irresponsible driving, minimal campaigns are focusing on slow drivers. Driving excessively below the speed limit is not only dangerous, but it is also ILLEGAL.
- Swearing at other drivers
This one may not come as a surprise to many, though it doesn’t stop drivers from engaging in the act, all forms of anti-social behaviour and aggression towards other drivers are illegal.
This can range from swearing to offensive gestures and other unsavoury interactions. Many drivers would be ashamed of their behaviour were it not behind the wheel of a car. Remember to keep your emotions in check and treat other road users with respect.
- Purposely splashing pedestrians
As funny as you may find the act of intentionally ruining someone’s day by soaking them in wet weather conditions, it is still a form of assault. Many individuals are ignorant of this fact and proceed to bully pedestrians as they pass by. Under the road traffic act of 1988, this is a form of careless and irresponsible driving, which will be punished with a fine and points on your license.
- Inappropriately using your horn
As entertaining as it may be to make your friends jump on a carpark, it’s illegal to use a horn for any purpose other than alerting traffic of your presence. You’re also not allowed to use your horn while stationary, despite many drivers ignoring this law.
- Parking on the pavement
While many roads in the UK make it nearly impossible to park without parking over the surrounding pavement, it is illegal and should be avoided. No driver in their right mind would drive on the pavement, so why would you park there?
- Allowing your dog to hang out of windows
Your puppy may look adorable hanging out of the back window as you go about your journey but should they be there? All animals should be secured correctly when in a moving vehicle. This is not only for their safety but for the safety of yourself and other drivers on the road. Sorry, Fido!
These are only a few of the more unusual or less discussed UK driving laws and although you may not like them, you must follow them! Avoid any unnecessary legal proceedings by regularly checking changes to the UK Road Laws and adhering to them religiously!
