Did you know that you could receive a financial penalty for a law that you didn’t even know existed? It’s true! Here at GoGoGo Intensive, we teach our students every rule of the road so they can be better, safer drivers. Our five-day driving courses can help you pass your theory and practical tests with flying colours, so learn how our driving crash course works here and read our blog to discover three driving fines that you never knew existed – they may surprise you!
Playing Loud Music
Imagine this – You’ve just passed your GoGoGo Intensive course, you’re on top of the world and you celebrate by taking your car for a spin with your favourite song blaring at max volume.
Listening to your favourite Kendrick Lamar song at substantial volume might sound like a good idea at the time, but it could be dangerous if it prevents other drivers from hearing approaching cars or oncoming emergency vehicles. In fact, should a police officer deem you to be too distracted by your music, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention.
Please note that wearing headphones isn’t an advisable solution. Whilst it isn’t specifically illegal to wear headphones behind the wheel, they could prevent you from hearing emergency vehicle sirens and other crucial road warnings.
Splashing Pedestrians
If you’ve ever been splashed by a passing car speeding through puddles, then you’ll appreciate just how annoying it is to be left on the roadside soaked to the skin.
Should this happen to you, take comfort in knowing that offending motorists can actually be prosecuted for drenching people on the pavement. Splashing pedestrians is deemed to be driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons” under the Road Traffic Act 1998. Offenders will likely be hit with a £100 fixed-penalty notice and three points on their licence if caught by police.
Paying with Your phone at a Drive-Thru
It may not be the healthiest of options, but hitting the local drive-thru is a great way of grabbing a quick bite to eat behind the wheel — just make sure you don’t take away a hefty fine while doing so!
If you pay with your smartphone at the till, then you’re technically breaching the laws surrounding using hand-held devices while driving. This means that you could receive an automatic £200 fine, plus six penalty points on your licence.
To avoid these fines, simply abide by our one simple rule: If your engine is running, your phone should be nowhere near your hands, even if your car stops automatically due to fuel-saving Stop-Start technology.
Hopefully now you’re a little more clued up, so don’t say we didn’t warn you! There’s still so much more to learn when it comes to driving, so book a 5 day intensive driving course with GoGoGo Intensive and rule the road. We look forward to seeing you in our classroom soon!