Whereas many Brits think about themselves assured drivers, that doesn’t imply they aren’t responsible of believing and following just a few false guidelines on the street.
Over the previous three months, searches for ‘is driving barefoot unlawful’ and ‘can you utilize water as a substitute of coolant’ have elevated by 50% and 49%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings, they’ll in some circumstances be unsafe and incur potential fines.
So, to assist motorists separate reality from fiction, the automotive specialists at Vertu have analysed search knowledge to disclose and debunk 4 of the commonest driving myths.
Each month, over 5,000 Brits search to see whether or not driving barefoot is prohibited. The excellent news for these with a penchant for driving with out sneakers is that it isn’t unlawful. However that doesn’t essentially imply it’s secure to do, both.
Carrying smart footwear is way safer than driving barefoot. Put on flat, thin-soled sneakers that allow you to really feel the pedals extra simply. And ensure your sneakers can not slip off your toes simply, in order that they don’t grow to be a distraction when driving.
Additionally, at all times keep away from carrying excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot tougher to manage your automotive.
Fable: You should use water as a substitute of coolant
When your automotive is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as a substitute of correct coolant. Nevertheless, water lacks anti-corrosive substances which can trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and harm.
Nevertheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely choice, use distilled water. In contrast to faucet water, which incorporates minerals that may hurt your engine, distilled water has no impurities. As soon as the emergency is over, flush out all of the water and refill it with coolant. In case you are nervous concerning the situation of your automotive after utilizing water as a coolant, then it is best to get a summer season examine.
To ensure you don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, hold some engine coolant within the boot of your automotive for emergencies.
Fable: You may’t eat and drive
Legally talking, there’s nothing stopping you from consuming and driving. Nevertheless, in case your snacking turns into a distraction, it could possibly be thought-about careless driving. In case you are discovered to be driving carelessly, you might be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot nice and three factors in your licence.
When you do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that might steal your consideration from the street. If that’s al you’ve gotten, then it’s in all probability greatest to drag over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You may drive with a cracked windscreen
Whereas there isn’t a particular legislation on cracked windscreens, it’s a motoring offence if the crack obstructs your view. If caught, you might face a £100 nice and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In accordance with MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of injury anyplace. Even a 10mm crack immediately within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient may end up in MOT failure.
When you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you would possibly face extra extreme driving fees. The accident could possibly be thought-about your duty as you had impaired visibility.
There you’ve gotten it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
