UK's Most Common Motoring Offences
UK Motoring Offences
Most of us are aware that speeding, driving dangerously and whilst using a mobile phone that's not hands-free is illegal and could see us hit with points and a fine, but are you aware that driving in an inconsiderate manner is also an offence?
The most common fine that motorists receive for a motoring offence is due to speeding. If it's your first time, providing the speed wasn't overly excessive; you can usually avoid points, by paying the fine and attending a speed awareness course.
When obtaining insurance quotations you will be asked if you have any motoring offences or endorsements. By having 3 points on your driving licence, this could increase your insurance by up to 5%. 6 points on your licence increases the premium again, by up to as much as 25%.
Speeding fines will remain on your driving licence for 4 years and be active for 3 years from the date of the offence.
A speeding offence, will show a code on your driving licence as an SP offence. SP30 represents speeding the statutory limit on a public road, whilst SP50 represents speeding on a motorway.
Now whilst most drivers will be aware that using your mobile phone whilst driving is an offence, many aren't aware that having a mobile phone on loudspeaker and held by the passenger is an offence. If the Police believe that this is distracting the driver and diverting your attention, then you could receive a fine and points.
With the vast majority of drivers owning a mobile phone, the Police have had to get tougher on drivers that commit offences in an attempt to keep the general public safer on the roads.
Due to the increase, we've seen the average fine increase from £30, to £60 and now around £200, with a maximum fine being £1,000. Whilst the increase is necessary, it has also increased the amount of fines that end up in court being contested. This is especially so with new drivers, as a mobile phone offence could see them having their driving licence revoked completely.
Driver's could unwittingly be carrying out a motoring offence due to lack of knowledge. For example, did you know that even if you have fully comprehensive insurance on your car which permits third party driving on another car. Did you know that the other car that you're driving has to have a full policy on it, in order for you to drive the car? So if you're looking to buy a vehicle and turn up to test drive it. You can only drive that vehicle using your policy as long as it is already insured in it's own right.
Or have you ever been driving down the motorway at 70 mph overtaking several cars together, when a car approaches you from behind very quickly and flashes their lights to get you to move lanes? Well, that driver is committing an offence by driving in considerably.
Speeding
Speeding has long been a common motoring offence. Whilst local police forces try to police the roads with average speed areas, fixed and remote speed camera's, they're still not able to eliminate it completely.
Speed Awareness courses were introduced in 2003, to try and reason with drivers, show them the results of what can happen at excessive speed and why the speed limit in the areas are set. It is not offered to all drivers caught speeding and is at the discretion of that particular police force. It will not be offered if you attended a course within the last 3 years or if your speeding was classed as too excessive.
By attending a course, you will avoid the points on your licence, but would still need to pay a fine.
Driving Whilst Using a Mobile Phone
There's now a zero tolerance attitude towards drivers using their mobile phone. Drivers can now face up to £1,000 fine and 6 points on their licence. The law was recently changed to include playing games and streaming music on your device. To use your mobile safely, it must be connected to the cars existing MMI or navigation system, or alternatively via bluetooth using an earpiece. You must not touch the device whilst driving or in stationary traffic. To touch the screen you must be pulled over and safely parked.
Driving Whilst Under the Influence of Drink or Drugs
Unfortunately driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is on the increase.
When under the influence our reaction time can be delayed, people are far more likely to make decisions that they wouldn't have made if they weren't under the influence. The fines and penalties vary dramatically from being stopped and found to be under the influence in comparison to being involved in an RTA which causes a death.
If found guilty of causing death whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, you could face up to 14 years imprisonment
Driving without Insurance
The Motor Insurance database is a centralized system that records all of the details of cars driven on UK roads. The information is shared with the police and the DVLA (Driver Vehicle licencing Agency).
It is illegal to drive any car on a public road without Insurance. You could face a fixed fine of £300 and receive 6 points on your licence.
The Police are likely to seize your vehicle. In order for you to collect the vehicle, you would need to provide proof of insurance and pay any fees due. If the case goes to court, you could be banned from driving.
Careless Driving
Careless driving covers a whole array of actions, whereby you're not driving with due care and attention, this could be:-
- Tailgating
- Undertaking
- Swerving
- Eating whilst at the wheel
- Smoking whilst at the wheel
- Having a dog in the car that's not secured
- Weaving across lanes
- Wheel spins
- Lane hogging
- Inconsiderate driving
- Failing to give way
- Driving in the wrong lane
Depending on the nature of the careless driving, you could receive an unlimited fine and up to 9 penalty points on your driving licence.
It's important to highlight that when you have a lease car contract, the V5 (vehicle registration document), is in the name of the finance company. Therefore if any offence was picked up by a camera, the documentation will be sent to the finance company. Some finance companies charge an Admin fee to handle the additional duties involved with processing this fine. Depending on their terms of business, they may well settle the fine if there's a period to reduce the amount with early settlement and then refer the bill to your account. You can find a full comprehensive list of driving rules, fines and bans on the Government site, it's important to stay up to date with the latest rules when driving.
