20 million drivers face £30 fine 'rising to £1,000' on Monday
Drivers on the road on Blue Monday are being urged to stay calm and keep positive - or risk huge fines. New research has found that almost 40 per cent of UK drivers have admitted to experiencing road rage over the past year.
It means 20 million drivers are at risk. Antony Diggins, Managing Director of Warrantywise, said: "Let's face it, driving in January can be stressful. The weather's miserable, the days are short, and the traffic just seems worse than ever.
"It's no wonder tempers flare behind the wheel and is a perfect storm for stressful commutes and, unfortunately, increased aggression behind the wheel. But what many people don’t realise is how much our mood impacts not only our safety but also the health of our cars."
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Diggins added: "Driving more calmly doesn't just make the journey smoother, it also puts less load on your car’s systems, which can help its overall health. And while calmer driving can help prevent issues, it's always a good idea to have protection in place for those days or periods when things don’t go as planned."
Rule 112 states that the horn must only be used to warn other motorists of their presence, whereas many drivers may still use their horns to express their frustration. If you do honk your horn at the wrong time, you could be hit with a fixed penalty fine of £30 if stopped by police.
However, in severe cases - or in cases where you decide to appeal the fixed penalty in court - overall costs could rise considerably, landing you with fines of up to £1,000. And while it is common for drivers to beep at other motorists who have annoyed them, you could be penalised for that too - as your horn should never be used in an aggressive manner.