Most drivers make an effort to be courteous to others on the road - but going out of your way with kind gestures to help out fellow motorists could get you into trouble.
According to research from comparethemarket.com, there are plenty of common polite gestures that drivers make to other road users. The price comparison website found that giving another driver a wave to thank them is the most common kind gesture on the roads, followed by turning off your full beam when others are driving towards you and giving more room to learner drivers.
But while these are all perfectly legal, motorists may not be aware that some other common courtesies could see them landed with a hefty punishment, WalesOnline reports. For example, flashing your lights at another road user to warn them of an upcoming speed camera or speed gun could see you slapped with a £1,000 fine and three points on your licence.
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According to the research, 37% of drivers were unaware that this action could see them fined. Comparethemarket also warned of other common gestures that could get them into trouble - including beeping your horn when going around tight bends to warn other drivers, which is punishable with a £1,000 fine.
Meanwhile, if you use your hazard lights to thank a driver behind you, you face an unlimited fine and up to a staggering nine points on your licence. Drivers have been warned to brush up on the law to make sure that their polite gestures on the road don’t land them in hot water with police.
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