There are many myths peddled to us by our parents that, being naive children, we take to be gospel; watching too much telly will give you square eyes, pulling a funny face for too long will be permanent if the wind changes, and, of course, driving with the inside lights of a car on is illegal.
In fact, according to the AA, Google searches for ‘is it illegal to drive with interior lights on’ have increased by 222% in the UK in the last three months.
However, a spokesperson for the motoring association said that there is no law in place against this act, but added that it "can be distracting or interfere with your vision" when driving at night.
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"It’s something which lots of people think is a fact but there’s no law against driving with your interior lights on," they said.
"But at night it can be distracting or interfere with your vision by reflecting off of the inside of the windscreen.
"If you’re pulled over and it’s decided that your light was a probable cause in any bad driving, you can expect to get a careless driving charge though.
"There are plenty of myths and misconceptions around what you can and can’t do whilst driving. The AA reminds drivers that the most important thing to remember when you're on roads in the UK is that you must obey the Highway Code.
"While driving rules are constantly updated, it is important motorists understand the current regulations in place. Not only will this reduce unexpected fines or penalties from failing to comply, but it will make UK roads a safer place."
As a result of these apocryphal stories gaining traction in the UK, the AA have produced a list that debunks some of the most common myths in the world of driving:
Is it illegal to eat and drive?
In short, no. There is no specific law against the act of driving and eating simultaneously. They add that being spotted by law enforcement taking a bite behind the wheel is not enough to be pulled over. However, if you aren't paying attention as a result of eating, then that is where problems might arise.
The AA’s poll found that around 10 percent of us eat while we drive. They AA have said: "Make sure your eating habits don't distract you behind the wheel.
"If the police think you aren't in proper control, you can be charged with careless driving.
"This carries a maximum penalty of £5,000, three to nine points on your licence and a discretionary driving disqualification."
Can you drink coffee and soft drinks whilst driving?
Once again, there is no specific piece of legislation that bans this. It follows much the same logical process of eating whilst driving; just don't be distracted by it. This means measures such as keeping the lid on a hot drink as sudden spills could end up with a damaged car or a fine, as well as burns.
Is it legal to smoke and drive?
Smoking whilst driving is legal on the whole, with a few exceptions; it’s illegal to smoke in any private vehicle with anyone under 18 present and in company vehicles or vans.
Secondly, if you use your own private vehicle for business occasionally, you're allowed to smoke in it. If the car has been given to you by your work for the purpose of work, you can't.
It’s not against the law to smoke in the car in any other circumstances, but the Highway Code specifically lists smoking as a distraction that can land you with a careless driving charge.
Is it true I can drive 10 percent over the speed limit without breaking the law?
If we are going to be draconian in this, anything above the limit is technically breaking the law, but given that speedometers are not exactly on a par with atomic clocks in terms of their accuracy, police give some leeway to speeds.
The official lines, according to the National Police Chief’s Council, is that officers should only give a speeding ticket if you top the limit by 10 percent plus two miles per hour. So that would mean driving 35mph in a 30mph zone. However, this is up to individual police officers to decide, so there’s no guarantee they’ll let you off.
Secondly, it's universally accepted that it isn't safe to have your eyes glued to the speedometer as you drive; AA President Edmund King advises that it’s better to keep your eyes on the road.
What about footwear, can I drive barefoot? Or in heels or slippers?
Rule 97 of the Highway Code makes it clear that drivers must have "footwear and clothing which does not prevent (them) using the controls in the correct manner." So while it's not illegal to drive in heels or sliders, it's suggested you drive in more sensible shoes and change when you get to your destination.
The priority for drivers should really be to drive in footwear that means you can safely operate the pedals without delay or difficulty.
What about loud music, where does the law stand on that?
Rule 148 of the Highway Code states that safe driving and riding needs concentration, so all distractions should be avoided.
Listening to loud music is included as a potential distraction. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended that you avoid doing anything that could slow your reaction times and cause an otherwise avoidable accident.
Can items dangling from my rearview mirror fail my MOT?
Yes, they can. Obstruction of more than four centimetres could land you with a failed MOT. But realistically you’ll probably be told by your mechanic to remove the item attached to your rearview mirror before the MOT takes place.
According to an AA survey, five percent of drivers had objects dangling from the rearview mirrors that had the potential to create a dangerous blind spot. Here are the top five items normally spotted hanging in front of the windscreen:
Air fresheners (mainly trees)
Teddy bears (from small to 1 foot in length)
Miniature footballs
Beads and rosary beads
Coats of arms (mainly football clubs)
A spokesperson for the AA, commented:
“There are plenty of myths and misconceptions around what you can and can’t do whilst driving. The AA reminds drivers that the most important thing to remember when you're on roads in the UK is that you must obey the Highway Code.
While driving rules are constantly updated, it is important motorists understand the current regulations in place. Not only will this reduce unexpected fines or penalties from failing to comply, but it will make UK roads a safer place.”
To see the full list of driving myths, you can see them here.
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