Fact or Fiction: Driving Edition!
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  • Fact or Fiction: Driving Edition!
  • 12 August 2021
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    Fact or Fiction: Driving Edition!

    It doesn't matter if you've been driving for 2 years, or for 20 years. The rules and laws around driving in the UK are surrounded by myths that many believe. We're going to set you straight!
Fact? or Fiction? #1 - I can't use my phone as a sat-nav!

FICTION! This is UNTRUE! Although in 2017 there was a crackdown on mobile use behind the wheel, you are still allowed to use your phone as sat-nav as long it's in a secure and fixed position, and it doesn't block your view of the road!

Fact? or Fiction? #2 - It is illegal to wear earphones!

FICTION! There is no law that suggests you can't wear earphones whilst driving you car. However, it is strongly advised against, as it can prevent you from hearing emergency sirens or other car horns, and can become a distration! 

Fact? Or Fiction? #3 - It's illegal to splash pedestrians!

FACT! If you drive through puddles deliberately to get the pedestrians soaked, this is actually illegal! It's officially known as 'driving without reasonable consideration for other persons' and can land you a £5000 fine! 



car heaphones
drink + drive
Fact? Or Fiction? #4 - Speed cameras have a 10% tolerance!

So you think you can go 10% faster than the speedlimit before getting snapped by a camera? This is a FACT! When a UK based motoring magazine conacted 45 different police forces, 33 responded and only 25 were happy to reveal their margins. The majority stated that the they allowed for 10% plus 2MPH, but Lancashire and the Met Police said they allow for 10% plus 3MPH! Scotland and Nottinghamshire forces refused to discuss their margin, so there's no room for pushing the limits.

Fact? Or Fiction? #5 - I can have one alcoholic drink and I'll be fine!

Now... the answer to this isn't as straight forward as the others. For England and Wales the alcohol limit for drivers is 80mg of alcohol for every 100ml of blood, and scotland is 50mg per 100ml of blood. So this can vary from person to person, depending on many factors such as weight, gender and even what you've eaten! So short answer. FACT!(If your biology fits the description!) However, we would always advise to NEVER drink and drive.



Fact? or Fiction? #6 - It's still illegal to cross a red light to move out of the way for emergency services.

FACT! Don't allow yourself to become to panicked or pressured when the blue lights and sirens come on. It's your job to maneuvour in the safest possible way, BUT also to follow the Highway Code which states you must take 'appropriate action' whilst still 'complying with all traffic signs'.

So, there you have it! You CAN use your phone as a sat-nav, but CAN'T splash pedestrians! 







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