Whereas many Brits contemplate 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 an alternative of coolant’ have elevated by 50% and 49%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings, they will in some instances be unsafe and incur potential fines.
So, to assist motorists separate reality from fiction, the automotive specialists at Vertu have analysed search information to disclose and debunk 4 of the most typical 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 footwear is that it isn’t unlawful. However that doesn’t essentially imply it’s protected to do, both.
Sporting smart footwear is way safer than driving barefoot. Put on flat, thin-soled footwear that allow you to really feel the pedals extra simply. And ensure your footwear can’t 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 sporting excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot more durable to manage your automotive.
Fable: You should utilize water as an alternative of coolant
When your automotive is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as an alternative of correct coolant. Nonetheless, water lacks anti-corrosive substances which can trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and injury.
Nonetheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely possibility, use distilled water. In contrast to faucet water, which comprises 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. If you’re frightened concerning the situation of your automotive after utilizing water as a coolant, then you need to get a summer season examine.
To ensure you don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, maintain some engine coolant within the boot of your automotive for emergencies.
Fable: You possibly can’t eat and drive
Legally talking, there’s nothing stopping you from consuming and driving. Nonetheless, in case your snacking turns into a distraction, it could possibly be thought of careless driving. If you’re discovered to be driving carelessly, you might be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot nice and three factors in your licence.
Should you do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that would steal your consideration from the street. If that’s al you could have, then it’s in all probability finest to tug over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You possibly can 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 response to MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of harm wherever. Even a 10mm crack immediately within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient can lead to MOT failure.
Should you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you may face extra extreme driving expenses. The accident could possibly be thought of your accountability as you had impaired visibility.
There you could have it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
