As the cost of petrol and driving in general continues to soar, drivers have been warned over a Highway Code rule which could result in a £1k fine for performing a common fuel-saving manoeuvre.
Drivers can get into bad habits while on the roads - however, one technique, or habit, called coasting, is covered in rule 122 of the Highway Code.
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Coasting is defined as a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down - and although it is a common practice amongst drivers, the manoeuvre can cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle.
Engine braking is eliminated when coasting and can lead to the speed increasing quickly when travelling downhill. Drivers may see a reduction in the effectiveness of the footbrake given the increased use and steering response will be affected too, with drivers seeing a notable difference, particularly on bends and corners, Birmingham Live reports.
Failure to have proper control of a vehicle can result in a potential fine of £1,000 or even discretionary disqualification. This fine can be raised to £2,500 if driving a larger vehicle like a bus, coach or HGV.
What do you think of the fines? Have your say in the comments below.
John Wilmot, chief executive of LeaseLoco, explained coasting and may be affected by new technology in cars. Mr Wilmot said: "Coasting is no longer beneficial to energy efficiency due to the fuel system in the majority of modern cars.
"When we drive downhill in gear, our engine ECU detects that the accelerator isn’t engaged and cuts fuel from going into the fuel injectors. We use no fuel or very little when driving downhill in gear.
"However, when we drive downhill in neutral, our engine and wheels become disconnected. This forces a small amount of fuel to be sent to the engine due to the car not receiving the rotational power it needs from the wheels, instead of drawing that power directly from the wheels.”
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