Whereas many Brits contemplate themselves assured drivers, that doesn’t imply they aren’t responsible of believing and following a couple of false guidelines on the street.
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 commonest driving myths.
Each month, over 5,000 Brits search to see whether or not driving barefoot is illegitimate. 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 wise footwear is way 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’t slip off your ft simply, in order that they don’t turn into a distraction when driving.
Additionally, all the time keep away from sporting excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot tougher to regulate 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. Nonetheless, water lacks anti-corrosive substances which is able to trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and injury.
Nonetheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely choice, use distilled water. In contrast to faucet water, which incorporates 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 anxious in regards to the situation of your automobile after utilizing water as a coolant, then you must get a summer season verify.
To be sure to don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, hold some engine coolant within the boot of your automobile for emergencies.
Fable: You may’t eat and drive
Legally talking, there’s nothing stopping you from consuming and driving. Nonetheless, in case your snacking turns into a distraction, it might be thought of careless driving. In case you are discovered to be driving carelessly, you might be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot high quality and three factors in your licence.
For those who do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that would steal your consideration from the street. If that’s al you might have, then it’s most likely greatest to drag over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You may 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 high quality and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In accordance with MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of injury anyplace. Even a 10mm crack immediately within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient may end up in MOT failure.
For those who’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you would possibly face extra extreme driving fees. The accident might be thought of your duty as you had impaired visibility.
There you might have it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
