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I wrote before about how we do this between cars. Thinking more (and having just seen a phone advert based on making your own emojis, as well as reading that Gen Z people tend to use them in place of punctuation) a “palms together” symbol may be better than a “thumbs up”. What do you think each one means? Perhaps it varies between cultures, or with context, as does colour. Whatever symbol is displayed, in the top right of front and rear windscreens seems best for the UK.  
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There are many driving beliefs and misinformation that can lead to unsafe practices or even legal issues. The AA have published and debunked some of these by way of clarification:
Driving 10% over the speed limit without breaking the law It's a myth that you can legally drive 10% over the speed limit. While some police may allow for speedometer inaccuracies, enforcement varies. The National Police Chief's Council suggests ticketing only when exceeding the limit by 10% plus 2mph (e. g driving 35 mph on a road with a 30 mph limit), but this isn't guaranteed. Best advice: stick to the limit. Drinking alcohol as a passenger in a car It's legal to drink alcohol as a passenger, but not always advisable. Passengers can aid safer driving. If supervising a learner driver however, you must stay sober and avoid using your phone. You absolutely can't drink alcohol while driving, as even one drink could put you over the legal drink-driving limit. Drinking alcohol-free beer while driving While it's not against the law to consume non- alcoholic beer while driving in the UK, if it looks like an alcoholic drink, you could still be pulled over by the police. To avoid any misunderstandings and delays, it's advisable to save your drink until after your journey. Sucking on a penny can trick a breathalyser test This is not only false, it's also illegal to try. Eating garlic, citrus fruits or mints won't help either. The message is clear: don't drink and drive. Eating while driving There's no specific law prohibiting it, but if it distracts you, it could result in a charge of careless driving.This carries a maximum penalty of £5,000, three to nine points on your licence and a discretionary driving ban. For safety reasons, it's best to eat when stationary, particularly in adverse weather conditions when stopping distances are longer. Smoking while driving This is illegal in private vehicles carrying anyone under 18 or in company cars. If you occasionally use a private car for business purposes, smoking is permitted.However, smoking can be a distraction and could potentially lead to a charge of careless driving. Driving with snow on your car While not illegal in the UK, the Highway Code stipulates that drivers must have clear visibility out of every window of their vehicle. If snow obstructs your view, this could be considered dangerous driving, which is certainly illegal. It's also advised to remove any snow from the roof as it can slide onto your windows or hit another road user. Driving with interior lights on There's no specific law prohibiting this. However, it can cause distractions or impair vision at night and if it contributes to careless driving, you could face charges. Circling a roundabout Contrary to popular belief, circling a roundabout three times because you missed your exit isn't illegal. But it's crucial to plan your route to avoid unnecessary circling, which could be viewed as careless driving. If you miss your exit, simply take it the next time after safely navigating around the roundabout again. Lowering tyre pressures in winter The idea that lowering tyre pressure during winter improves traction is a myth. In reality, it can increase stopping distances, cause more skidding, and reduce fuel efficiency. Instead, ensure your tyres are at the recommended pressure for safer winter driving. Academy Insurance Services
0800 458 0791 Adrian Flux 0800 369 8590 Arthur J Gallagher 0151 708 8090 Barry Grainger (BG Insurance) 01892 501501 C&A Mackie 0141 423 8555 Connect 01782 200711 DCL Insurance 020 8669 4466 DIA Insurance / Quote Me Today (same company) 01227 285550 / 01227 285 540 IC+ Instructor Cover Plus / Watkin Davies (same company) 029 2062 9413 Insurance4Instructors 01603 301770 Lloyd Latchford 01844 275 555 or 0800 707 6807 Mastercover 0208 236 3600 or 0800 731 3378 MCB Insurance 01208 833050 Park Insurance 01454 411187 Policywave 0333 332 7750 Premierline 0333 320 6009 Simply Insurance 01708 632000 Surewise 01268 200 020 Waveney / Towergate Insurance (same company) 01603 753 888 Chris & Ian [of the DITC] had an interesting day yesterday at a ‘Part 1 update & Part 2 Workshop’ with the DVSA and other stakeholders including the NASP. They write:
"We will share the outcomes in due course but here are a few important takeaways:
Here are Chris Bensted’s thoughts, which he's recently shared in a Facebook video. |
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