How long has it been since you read the Highway Code?
Most of us do a bit of cramming on the eve of a driving test, but it's not sitting on many bedside tables around the country.
According to a new survey, UK drivers could really do with brushing up on their driving rules
A recent survey of 2,000 UK drivers revealed the majority of us don't actually know legal fact from fiction when it comes to the Highway Code.
Not only are many of us ignorant to the fact common bad habits actually breach legal rules, we also falsely think some things are against the law despite being allowed.
Phil Morgan, head of findandfundmycar.com, which commissioned the survey, said: “Nobody wants to have to pay a hefty fine for something that they didn’t know was going to cost them, so it’s best to know these sooner rather than later."
Have a look through the list and see how many of these you had all wrong too - you might be surprised.
First, these are entirely legal behaviours - but just look at how many people thought they weren't.
- Driving barefoot (75%)
- Driving in flip-flops (46%)
- Switching the car’s interior light on while driving (46%)
- Driving in high heels (33%)
Worryingly, it appears to go the other way too.
According to the same survey, some UK drivers think the following are permissible, despite being banned under the law.
- Moving into a bus lane to let an ambulance through (72pc)
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Paying on your phone by Apple Pay at a drive-thru (63pc)
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Flashing your lights to give way to someone (52pc)
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Going 42mph in a 40mph zone and not getting caught on a speed camera (36pc)
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Pulling over to check a map or your phone with the engine running (31pc)
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Using the middle lane of the motorway for normal driving (28pc)
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Beeping your horn at someone in anger (27pc)
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Using the left-hand lane of the motorway for slow driving (22pc)
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Driving with snow on the roof of your car (20pc)
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Sleeping in your car while drunk (14pc)
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Letting your dog out for a wee on the hard shoulder even if broken down (11pc)
Though these are all only minor offences, they could lead to drivers receiving Fixed Penalty Notices, and in some cases, points on their licences.
The survey showed 95pc of us flash our lights to give way, while 79pc of drivers beep their horn in anger, which is also illegal.
