This is how UK drivers break the law without even knowing it

UK drivers may be breaking the law every time they set off on the road – without even realising.

New research has found that there are things many of us do while driving which we don’t know could actually get us into trouble.

Some 60% of us have no idea that drenching a pedestrian with water from a rain-soaked road is actually illegal, according to the research from Accident Advice Helpline.

Shockingly, one in four of us has deliberately driven fast through a puddle to soak people walking past the car.

Using a car horn out of frustration is a common offence for 61% of us – and it is is in fact a common misdemeanour to do this between 10.30 at night and 7am.

Just under half of those polled have got out of the car when stopped on a single yellow line, without realising they were breaking the law.

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A third of us are guilty of the less serious offence of having a dirty number plate and 11% have smoked in a car with a passenger under the age of 18 in the car – which only became illegal in October 2015.

Speeding is still the most common law-break for drivers, with almost half of the 2,000 motorists who took part in the study admitting to regularly exceeding the 70mph motorway speed limit.

A quarter of people also said they often set off on a journey without wearing a seatbelt.

David Carter, from Accident Advice Helpline, said: “Laws are in place to help protect drivers and other road users so when you flaunt a law you are putting both yourself and others in danger.

“It’s worrying the number of people who take risks when on the road as being more careful and abiding by laws can help prevent accidents.”

Top pic: Rex/posed by model