Polite driving habits could cost you £1,000. UK motorists face fines for gestures

UK drivers are being cautioned about a common 'polite' driving gesture that could result in a fine. A study by private plate company Regtransfers revealed that many British motorists may not be aware of the potential repercussions of everyday courtesy on the roads.

The data shows that if another driver gives way, 58.3% of Brits would acknowledge it with a quick wave or thumbs up. Meanwhile, 13.3% said they would flash their hazard lights, and 24.8% admitted they would use either gesture.

Only 3% said they wouldn't do any of these actions. While these gestures are generally seen as harmless politeness, they could put most UK drivers at risk of breaking Highway Code rules and facing severe penalties, reports Yorkshire Live.

A raised hand or thumbs-up could be seen as momentarily losing control of the vehicle - a concept outlined in Rule 160 of the Highway Code, which advises drivers to keep both hands on the wheel or handlebars where possible. If noticed by the police, even such a brief act of gratitude could lead to fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points added to the driver's licence.

Flashing your hazard lights as a way of saying "thank you" is a breach of Rule 116, which states that drivers "must not use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead".

If caught doing this, drivers could face a fine of up to £1,000. Similarly, another common courtesy - flashing your headlights to give way - is also against the Highway Code rules, specifically rule 110.

This rule instructs drivers to "only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there".

The rule further clarifies that headlights should not be used to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Violating this rule could also result in a potential fine of up to £1,000.

The exact fine amount and other consequences depend on the specific circumstances. However, Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, advises against taking any risks.

He says: "It might seem like you're being friendly, but taking your hand (or hands) off the wheel to say thank you, even for a moment, poses a potential risk to you and other road users, as you won't be in full control of the vehicle. It still pays to be polite, though, so if you want to express gratitude you can do so with a quick nod of your head - remembering to keep your eyes and attention on the road while doing so."