Experts at Van Monster have shared results of their research on various road laws across UK, along with brief implication of the laws.
Rule 148: No Smoking with a Minor
Smoking is prohibited for everyone while driving/ riding with a person below the age of 18 in private vehicles across UK and Wales. The rule extends to all passengers on board with the minor.
Consequences of Breaking this Rule
Law breakers can face a fine of £50.
Situation on Ground
A total of 42 police forces responded to disclose the statistics and findings on this rule in accordance with Freedom of Information Act on request from BBC.
As of June 29th, 2016, no fines have been imposed on UK and Wale’s travellers, however verbal warnings have been issued. Details are as follows:
- 2 oral notices/ warnings issued by Metropolitan police
- 4 oral notices/ warnings issued by Dyfed-Powys police
- 1 oral notice/ warning issued by Devon & Cornwall police
Rule 90: Reporting a Health Condition
In case of a health condition that can adversely affect the driving, youmust report to DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
Consequences of Breaking the Law
Law breakers can be prosecuted or a fine of £1,000 can be imposed
Situation on Ground
On digging deeper to know the ground realities, it was found that 30% of drivers above the age of 65 years face some serious medical condition like epilepsy, heart problems, eye problems, diabetes etc. However, almost 50% have failed to get them registered at DVLA under this law.
Approximately, about 25% of such motorists have a noticeable condition, but 10% don’t disclose this vital info to DVLA.
Rule 92: Use of Glasses/ Spectacles
Drivers needing glasses or contact lenses to read vehicle registration number from 20 meters away (20.5 meters in case of old styled registration plates),must wear spectacles/ contact lenses during driving all the time.
Punishment forBreaking the Law
A fineof £1000 along with deduction of 3 points or an optional ban.
Situation on Ground
A recent study conducted on 1000 spectacle wearers brought in a figure of 12.5% people not abiding to this rule while driving.
Rule 96: Driving Under the Influence of Drugs/ Medications
Driving under the influence of specific drugs is prohibited. Drivers need to seek professional advice from doctors in case they are prescribed following medicine:
- Amphetamine (also including Dexamphetamine or Selegiline)
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Opioid based medicine; including Morphine, Opiate, Codeine, Tramadol and Fentanyl
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
Punishment forBreaking the Law
Driver found guilty of infringing this rule can get:
- A Driving ban for at least one year
- Fine depending upon the offence and damage caused
- Imprisonment for up to half a year (6 months)
- Additionally, driving licence will be maligned with conviction for 11 years and a criminal record will be added
Situation on Ground
IAM, Institute of Advanced Motorists, disclosed statistics under Freedom of Information Act, revealing arrest of more than 400 drivers per month (from March to May 2015) under the influence of medicine/ drugs.
Breakdown of the arrests came in as follows:
214 arrests were made from 2nd March till 11th May by Metropolitan police alone, depicting highest number of arrests in revealed statistics.
- 97 arrests were made by Northumbria police.
- 70 arrests were made by Cheshire and another 58 were brought in by Sussex forces, while 55 arrests were made by South Yorkshire police during the stipulated period.
Rule 99: Seat Belts are a Must
Seat belts need to be worn at all times in all private and industrial vehicles. For public transport vehicles, all passengers need to fasten the belts including children.Use child restraints for children below 14 years of age, when available. There are a few exemptions, which are detailed below:
• Rider or driver making a delivery in his/her official delivery vehicle while covering less than 50 meters need not to follow this rule.
• Also, if someone can provide a medical exemption certificate,they can also be exempted from this rule.
PunishmentforBreaking the Law
On the spot fine of £100, which can go as high as £500 if put on trial.
Situation on Ground
Pertaining to high awareness rate and proved life-saving capabilities of seat belts, the 2015 survey by Department for Transport revealed that compliance rate for this rule is 95.3% across England and Scotland.
- More than 98% of drivers in England and Scotland strictly follow this rule.
- Also, almost 95% passengers riding on front, along with driver, adhere to this rule in the said region.
- More than 90% of rear seat passengers use either seat belts or child restraints.
Rule 109: Following Light Signals and Traffic Signs
The law enforcement agency in the UK asks to follow all light signals and traffic signs. Failure to obey that and you can get a fine of £100 along with three penalty points on your driving licence.
Situation on Ground
Here are the top 20 roads in the UK where drivers were caught running a red light in 2015:
Name of road & location | Constabulary | Number of motorists caught running a red light in 2015 |
A523 The Silk Road, Macclesfield | Cheshire Constabulary | 2,552 |
A610 Nuthall Island, East Bound, Nottingham | Nottinghamshire Police | 1,700 |
A167 Durham Road (South), Gateshead | Northumbria Police | 1,543 |
A56 Great Ducie Street, Junction with Trinity Way, Manchester | Greater Manchester Police | 1,459 |
Victoria Street/Crosshall Street, Merseyside | Merseyside Police | 1,458 |
A34 Kingsway, Junction with Gatley Road, Stockport | Greater Manchester Police | 1,349 |
A635 Manchester Road, Junction with Ashton Hill Lane, Tameside | Greater Manchester Police | 1,314 |
A556 Chester Road, Junction with Dalefords Lane, Sandiway | Cheshire Constabulary | 1,160 |
A6514 Valley Road / Vernon Road, Basford, Nottingham (N) | Nottinghamshire Police | 1,130 |
A61 Upper Hanover Street, Junction with Glossop Road, Sheffield | South Yorkshire Police | 1,055 |
A308 Staines Raod West, Junction Chertsey Road, Ashford | Surrey Police | 977 |
Northway (A59)/ Hall Lane, Maghull | Merseyside Police | 887 |
Crosby Road South/Cambridge Road, Crosby | Merseyside Police | 883 |
A127 Southend Arterial Road, Junction with Progress Road, Leigh-on-Sea | Essex Police | 863 |
A27 Upper Brighton Road, Junction with Hillbarn Lane, Sussex | Sussex Police | 789 |
London Road, Oxford | Thames Valley Police | 709 |
A1018 North Bridge Street (N), Sunderland | Northumbria Police | 657 |
A610 Nuthall Island, West Bound, Nottingham (W) | Nottinghamshire Police | 639 |
A24 Buck Barn crossroads, Sussex | Sussex Police | 610 |
Ladymead, Junction Woodbridge Road, Guildford | Surrey Police | 559 |
Rule 124: New Exceed the Speed Limit
As is the case in every other country, motorists should not exceed the maximum speed limit for a road and for a vehicle. The speed violators can get a fine of £100 along with three penalty points on their driving licence. Below are the stipulated speed limits.
Vehicle type | Built-up area | Single carriageway | Dual carriageway | Motorway |
Cars and motorcycles (car-derived vans up to two tonnes maximum laden weight included) | 30mph | 60mph | 70mph | 70mph |
Cars towing caravans or trailers (car-derived vans and motorcycles included) | 30mph | 50mph | 60mph | 60mph |
Buses, coaches and minibuses (though not exceeding 12 metres in overall length) | 30mph | 50mph | 60mph | 70mph |
Goods vehicles (though not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30mph | 50mph | 60mph | 70mph* |
Goods vehicles in England and Wales (when exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30mph | 50mph | 60mph | 60mph |
Goods vehicles in Scotland (when exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30mph | 40mph | 50mph | 60mph |
*This speed limit is reduced to 60mph if the goods vehicle is articulated or towing a trailer.
Situation on Ground
With each passing year, the speed violators are increasing. Below are the findings of Freedom of Information Act:
1. Top five hotspots for speeding in 2015
Road | Police force | Number of speeding offences recorded |
M6 | Cheshire Constabulary | 12,442 |
M25 Junction 5 | Kent Police | 12,330 |
Scotland Road, Liverpool | Merseyside Police | 11,760 |
M6 Toll Road | Warwickshire Police | 10,858 |
A358 | Avon and Somerset Police | 10,338 |
2. Fastest drivers caught by police forces in 2015
Road | Police force | Speed |
A556 | Cheshire Constabulary | 147mph |
A31 | Hampshire Constabulary | 144mph |
M25 | Kent Police | 142mph |
A1 | Lincolnshire Police | 142mph |
A4146 | Thames Valley Police | 142mph |
Apart from these, there are various other laws on driving and parking. The parking related rules can be searched by clicking here.