Whereas many Brits think about themselves assured drivers, that doesn’t imply they aren’t responsible of believing and following a couple of false guidelines on the highway.
In reality, Bristol Road Motors has noticed that searches about two frequent driving myths are surging. Over the previous three months, queries for ‘is driving barefoot unlawful’ and ‘can you employ water as a substitute of coolant’ have elevated by 83% and 23%, respectively.
However driving myths aren’t simply easy misunderstandings They will put yours and others’ security in danger, to not point out potential in fines and factors in your licence.
So, to assist motorists separate reality from fiction, the automotive consultants at Bristol Road Motors have analysed search information 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 against the law. 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.
Carrying 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 ft simply, in order that they don’t grow to be 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 regulate 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. Nevertheless, water lacks anti-corrosive components which is able to trigger rust in your engine, resulting in leaks and harm.
Nevertheless, 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. If you’re nervous in regards to the situation of your automobile after utilizing water as a coolant, then you need to get a summer season test.
To be sure you don’t get caught out or have to make use of distilled water, hold some engine coolant within the boot of your automobile for emergencies.
Fable: You possibly can’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 might be thought-about careless driving. If you’re discovered to be driving carelessly, you possibly can 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 would steal your consideration from the highway. And if messy meals are all you might have readily available, then it may be greatest to attend till you’re parked earlier than tucking in.
Fable: Coasting saves gas
With the expertise in fashionable automobiles, it’s now an outdated false impression that coasting saves gas. If something, coasting may imply you’re utilizing extra gas than should you saved your automobile in gear. It is because coasting nonetheless requires a small quantity of gas in an effort to energy the engine.
If you’re aware of gas prices, one of the best ways to preserve gas is by letting the automobile decelerate whereas in gear with out urgent the accelerator.
In addition to failing to avoid wasting you cash, coasting will increase the danger of an accident. In case your automobile is in impartial or the clutch is down when going downhill, your automobile will velocity up extra shortly. Making it a lot more durable to steer, particularly when going round corners. This lack of management may cause accidents, significantly whenever you’ll have to shift into gear when reacting to a hazard.
Fable: You possibly can 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 possibly can face a £100 tremendous and obtain three factors in your driver’s licence.
In line 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.
In case you’re driving with a cracked windscreen and get into an accident, you would possibly face extra extreme driving fees. The accident might be thought-about your duty as you had impaired visibility.
There you might have it, the 5 most searched-for driving myths debunked.
