Drivers can be slapped with some surprising penalties on the road, including one man who is in the news after moving out of the way of an ambulance.
Motorists must make way for emergency vehicles, but filmmaker James Sheridan-Vigor was caught pulling into a bus lane in the process. He was fined £130 for the infraction and Waltham Forest Council initially rejected his appeal. He took to a local paper to complain about the fine which was eventually rescinded, the driver told the Mail Online.
No matter how well-intentioned, it goes to show authorities will enforce surprising Highway Code rules and fines - some of which drivers might not even be aware of. Read on for ways motorists could be charged massive fines.
Five little-known reasons drivers could be fined
Moving around an ambulance the wrong way
Getting away from the path of an emergency vehicle could land you with a £1,000 fine if you break the rules.
Rule 219 of the Highway Code states that drivers must get out of the way of ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles with flashing lights. However, motorists are urged to stay calm and not break traffic laws - even with the best of intentions.
The Highway Code says: "When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road.
"Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb."
Driving too slowly
When you think of driving offences, speeding might come to mind, but the opposite is also a problem. There is no official minimum speed on motorways, for example, drivers could be pulled over for driving dangerously slow.
If you're caught out, the police can fine you for "driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users". The common penalty is a £100 fine and three points.
Not informing the DVLA about health conditions
The DVLA can ban motorists from getting behind the wheel if they fail to disclose one of 110 medical conditions. Not only does failing to inform the agency open drivers up to a £1,000 fine, they risk prosecution if they become involved in an accident.
"You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result."
As you might expect, the list includes eye conditions, but there are others drivers might not be aware. Others include mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, and eating disorders such as anorexia.
Surgery, including c-section, is another reason to inform the DVLA - so if drivers are still unable to drive three months, they should submit a form to the agency.
Looking at your phone at a red light
One of the newest driving rules cracked down on using hand-held devices while behind the wheel. The rule, which came into force in March, tightened an already existing rule from 2003 barring motorists from using hand-held devices.
It an offence "under virtually any circumstance" to use a hand-held device even if a driver is at a red light or stuck in traffic. That means no texting, calling, checking notifications, using the internet or taking a picture or video behind the wheel.
The punishment is a £200 fine or six penalty points. An offender would lose their licence after two offences or, for new drivers who have held a licence for less than two years, a single offence would lead to their licence being revoked.
Take heed as there's only one exception to this rule - driving in an emergency.
Flashing lights for the wrong reasons
Drivers should only flash their lights for one reason and one reason only - to let other motorists aware of their presence. Otherwise, you could be fined £1,000 for flashing their car lights.
Flashing your lights in any other way - such as to warn others of a speed camera or to signal another car to proceed - is not encouraged as it carries a fine up to £1,000.
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