Drivers have been issued a warning over leaving 'aggressive notes' on cars that could see them charged with an offence or fined.
With around 32.5 million cars on the road in the UK, motorists who park in a frustrating manner - or cause damage to other vehicles - are not uncommon.
But if you react by leaving a strongly-worded note on the offending driver’s windscreen you could be committing an offence yourself.
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Along with offending the driver, leaving a note could lead to you accidentally damaging the car, experts warn. According to legal specialists Patterson Law, if you cause damage and fail to report it, it could be classed as an offence under Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988.
Maximum penalties of failing to report damage or injury can include five-10 penalty points, up to £5,000 fine and in worst case scenarios, six month imprisonment.
If you’re involved in an accident, you should also be as factual as possible when making notes about the incident, so that you can support any insurance claims.
This includes noting down the date and time of the incident and any other important information which may be helpful when arguing your case.
If there is an accident, whoever may be liable, you must report the matter to a police station or a constable directly as soon as possible and in all cases within 24 hours. Reporting it online or by telephoning 101 is not enough.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing , says you potentially leave yourself open to libel action, or being accused of damaging the car you leave a message on. .
Mr Conway explains: “When it comes to perceived behaviours on the road or in car parks, responding in an aggressive manner - either through verbal or physical gestures, or by leaving notes - is rarely a recipe for a productive conversation.
“And while leaving a note on a motorist’s car to vent your anger might be tempting, we’d urge people to think twice.
“If you touch someone else’s car, perhaps when lifting up a windscreen wiper to leave your note, you could be accused of damaging or scratching that person’s vehicle.
“If the motorist you’re targeting drives for a living, you could also end up defaming them, or their business, by making accusations about the way they behave which could cause reputational damage.
“That’s particularly true if the note you leave is clear and visible for other people walking past to see and to read.
“What you should do when confronted by any sort of poor behaviour on the road is to remain calm and stay non-aggressive so there’s no escalation of conflict.”
Those thoughts are echoed by Dominic Smith, Director at Patterson Law , the UK’s largest road traffic offence legal specialists.
He says: “If the note was threatening, or abusive - especially if that abuse was racially, religiously or sexually motivated - then that might be an offence.
“If you are going to leave a note, it's best to leave-out threats and abuse to ensure no offence is committed.”
Drivers are also warned against responding to what you see as poor driving by accelerating, braking or swerving your car suddenly.
Mr Conway adds: “Not only will this aggravate other drivers, but you will also put yourself at risk, reducing your own car control.
“The best thing is to stay calm and continue to drive sensibly so as not to make the situation any worse.”
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