Driving experts issue warning over speeding myth and say 'this isn't guaranteed'
Have you heard that you can drive 10 per cent over the speed limit and not get a ticket? This common driving myth may have truth to it, but is never a "guarantee", the AA has warned.
The driving association has revealed that driving even 1mph over the speed limit “could land you in hot water” though you won’t get a ticket as speedometers are not always 100 per cent accurate so police allow for this. Edmund King, president of the AA, warns that it is not always safe to keep your eye glued to the speedometer and it is better to keep your focus on the road.
The National Police Chief’s Council, a coordination body for UK law enforcement, recommends giving speeding tickets to drivers who are more than 10 per cent plus two over the limit. For example, if you were driving 35mph in a 30mph zone. But the AA warns that this is up to individual officers to decide so there is “no guarantee they’ll let you off”.
“The best way to make sure you don’t get caught by a police officer or speed camera is to drive carefully and try to stick to the limit”, the breakdown provider advises.
Another driving myth tackled is one that you were probably told as a child when sitting in your parents’ car. Despite what many people think, turning the inside light of a car on while driving is not a crime.
However, it can be distracting, particularly at night, and may interfere with your vision. If you are pulled over and it is determined that your light was a probable cause in your bad driving, you “can expect to get a careless driving charge”, the AA says.
There are also plenty of myths around footwear, the AA explains, but it is actually not illegal to drive without shoes. However, you do need to be able to operate the pedals safely and so "may want to think twice before driving barefoot, or in 6-inch heels for that matter".
The same applies to flip flops - while it is not against the law, the Highway Code states that drivers must have "footwear and clothing which does not prevent (them) using the controls in the correct manner". Flip flops can come off easer and may slip under the pedals and get stuck, which is why it is suggested you drive in more sensible shoes.
With winter now in full swing, hacks have started to circulate and the AA has been quick to warn that you cannot defog a windscreen with a potato, contrary to some videos online. "While it's a fun idea, in truth all this does is waste a potato and cause you to have a dirty windscreen. You'll then need to clean your windscreen for proper visibility or risk breaking the law."
Advice for driving during the winter includes allowing extra time for journeys, making sure to get up early to give you time to properly de-ice your car and wearing dry, comfortable shoes so your feet don't slip on the pedals. You should also consider planning routes around major roads, which are more likely to be cleared and gritted, AA guidance states.