Whereas many Brits take into account 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 employ 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 truth from fiction, the automotive specialists at Vertu have analysed search information 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 unlawful. 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.
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 ft simply, in order that they don’t change into a distraction when driving.
Additionally, all the time keep away from carrying excessive heels, flip-flops, or heavy boots when driving as they make it a lot more durable to manage your automobile.
Fable: You should use water as a substitute of coolant
When your automobile is overheating, it may be tempting to make use of water as a substitute of correct coolant. Nonetheless, water lacks anti-corrosive elements 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. Not like faucet water, which accommodates 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 anxious concerning the situation of your automobile after utilizing water as a coolant, then it is best to get a summer season verify.
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.
Fable: You’ll be able to’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 may very well be thought of careless driving. In case you are discovered to be driving carelessly, you can be dealt a hefty £100 on-the-spot high-quality 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 will have, then it’s most likely finest to drag over and eat whereas parked.
Fable: You’ll be able to 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 can face a £100 high-quality and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In keeping with MOT guidelines, your windscreen should not have any greater than 40mm of injury wherever. Even a 10mm crack straight within the driver’s line of imaginative and prescient can lead to MOT failure.
When you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you may face extra extreme driving costs. The accident may very well be thought of your accountability as you had impaired visibility.
There you will have it, the 4 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
