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.
In actual fact, Bristol Avenue Motors has noticed that searches about two widespread driving myths are surging. Over the previous three months, queries for ‘is driving barefoot unlawful’ and ‘can you utilize water as an alternative of coolant’ have elevated by 83% and 23%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings They’ll put yours and others’ security in danger, to not point out potential in fines and factors in your licence.
So, to assist motorists separate truth from fiction, the automotive consultants at Bristol Avenue Motors have analysed search knowledge to disclose and debunk 5 of the commonest driving myths.
Each month, over 5,000 Brits search to see whether or not driving barefoot is illegitimate. 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 protected to do, both.
Sporting 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 turn out 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 automobile.
Delusion: You should use water as an alternative of coolant
When your automobile is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as an alternative of correct coolant. Nonetheless, water lacks anti-corrosive elements which is able to trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and injury.
Nonetheless, in an emergency the place water is your solely choice, use distilled water. Not like 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 frightened in regards to the situation of your automobile after utilizing water as a coolant, then you must get a summer season examine.
To be sure you don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, preserve some engine coolant within the boot of your automobile for emergencies.
Delusion: You may’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 might be thought-about careless driving. In case you are discovered to be driving carelessly, you could possibly be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot tremendous and three factors in your licence.
In case you do get the urge to snack, keep away from messy meals that might steal your consideration from the street. And if messy meals are all you could have readily available, then it could be greatest to attend till you’re parked earlier than tucking in.
Delusion: Coasting saves gasoline
With the expertise in trendy vehicles, it’s now an previous false impression that coasting saves gasoline. If something, coasting might imply you might be utilizing extra gasoline than when you saved your automobile in gear. It is because coasting nonetheless requires a small quantity of gasoline with a purpose to energy the engine.
In case you are acutely aware of gasoline prices, one of the simplest ways to preserve gasoline is by letting the automobile decelerate whereas in gear with out urgent the accelerator.
In addition to failing to save lots of you cash, coasting will increase the chance of an accident. In case your automobile is in impartial or the clutch is down when going downhill, your automobile will pace up extra rapidly. Making it a lot more durable to steer, particularly when going round corners. This lack of management could cause accidents, notably whenever you’ll must shift into gear when reacting to a hazard.
Delusion: You may drive with a cracked windscreen
Whereas there isn’t a selected legislation on cracked windscreen, it’s a motoring offence if the crack obstructs your view. If caught, you could possibly face a £100 tremendous and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
Based on MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of injury anyplace. Even a 10mm crack instantly within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient may end up in MOT failure.
In case you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you may face extra extreme driving fees. The accident might be thought-about your duty as you had impaired visibility.
There you could have it, the 5 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
