It's one of the politest things any driver can do — and when they don't do it, it's got to be one of the most irritating things that can happen to you on the road. New research of 2,000 UK drivers also says it is one of the most-favoured habits of other drivers, with 42% of UK motorists saying they appreciate this the most
But this nice gesture, one of the unspoken rules of the road that distinguished the courteous and thoughtful from those that think they own the road, is actually against the rules of the Highway Code, reports the Echo. Although highly unlikely to happen in practise, it could even land you with a £1,000 fine.
Vertu Motors told the Echo: “Brits are known for their politeness, and this is often the case on the road too. Our research shows that drivers love it when other motorists signal thanks, and this is most often shown by a raised hand or flash of headlights. However, the Highway Code says that drivers should only flash their headlights to let other road users know they are there, explicitly stating that this signal shouldn’t be done to convey any other message. The Highway Code also specifies that motorists should drive with both hands on the wheel so that they can remain in full control of the vehicle.
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“Therefore, in line with the Highway Code, either of these displays of gratitude could land motorists with a whopping £1,000 fine and penalty points. Instead of these gestures, focus on maintaining good driving habits, following the Highway Code and ultimately being safe on the road to return the favour.”
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