Taxi Driver Online

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Legislation to make driving under the influence of drugs a specific offence has been welcomed after it was announced in last week's Queen's speech. It's already widely known that driving after taking banned drugs such as cannabis or cocaine is illegal but did you know that patients on prescription drugs also face prosecution if their driving is impaired by medication?

Nowadays, driving in the UK can feel like being in some sort of Big Brother-style experiment; with speed cameras, congestion charging and CCTV watching your every move.

To stay on the right side of the law, a modern driver needs to be fully aware of the catalogue of potential motoring offences that they might be committing, for the list sometimes seems to be growing by the day.



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Here are 10 examples of less common offences that might catch you out:

Warning fellow oncoming motorists
Warning other drivers of a police speed trap could land you with a fine of up to £500. A 64-year-old male motorist from Grimsby helped a fellow driver avoid a potential prosecution and was hit with a fine and costs totalling £440 by magistrates.

Dirty number plate
Number plates that obscure the registration details can lead to a £1,000 fine.

Beeping your horn
Sounding your horn while stationary is illegal, unless to warn a moving vehicle of danger. In fact, you can't use your horn on a residential street from 11.30pm till 7am in any circumstances.

Changing a CD
...or, sipping a hot drink, eating food or doing your make-up while driving could be considered careless or even dangerous.

Pulling over to take a mobile phone call
You may still be considered by police to be 'driving' and therefore breaking the law if the engine is running, even if you are parked at the kerbside. Be safe: park up and switch off or use a hands-free phone.

Playing loud music
Playing loud music, especially with your car windows down, could be regarded as causing a distraction for either yourself or other road users.

Cradling a babe in your arms
As a passenger, holding a baby while the car is moving, even if you are wearing a seatbelt, is unlawful and the driver is responsible. All children must have a 'restraint', such as a booster seat or baby seat, until their 12th birthday or reaching 135cm tall. Travelling in a taxi is an exception.
Road rage
Being abusive or making rude hand gestures to a fellow road user or pedestrian can be judged inconsiderate, careless or dangerous driving.





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'Morning after' drink-drivers
Convictions of motorists who are over the alcohol limit from the previous night are on the rise. Some people who stop drinking alcohol at midnight may still be above legal limits for driving at 4pm the next day - 16 hours later - depending on the amount consumed.

Even beyond these less well-known laws there are numerous motoring myths that can land you in trouble. Inaccurate but commonly-held beliefs, such as the 'two-week leeway for changing a tax disc' or the 10% speed limit discretion, often get motorists fines or points on their licence, which can in turn lead to an outright ban via the totting-up system.

Solicitor Natali Farrell of Just Motor Law said: "It is useful for motorists to refresh themselves of the law by re-reading the Highway Code to avoid some of the myths.''

"Knowing the law can help a motorist avoid breaking it. Some offences are less clear-cut than say, speeding, and open to interpretation, which means there may be scope to challenge on several grounds."

And take your foot off the brake.

Driving with front/rear fog lights on, when its not foggy

I once had a problem in a car where the rear lights went out. The police stopped me and advised me to put my fog lights on until I got home.

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Grandad,

This one is wrong if i remember correctly , as i remember reading somewhere on a goverment website that a child under 3 can travel unrestrained on a restrained passengers knee.

I believe you've missed an important one out.

Lack of hay in the boot of a Galashiels taxi!!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

That only applies to a WAV until the LC change the rules

A number of car and taxi policies have a "Drink & Drugs" clause. If you are under the influence, and this could include Night Nurse, antihistemen etc, your policy cover for damage to your vehicle would be voided in the event of an accident. The insurance co would have to pay for any third party damge but they can come to you for reimbursement.

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.

driving a car exhibiting L plates if you are a full licence holder

showing a white light to the rear of a vehicle travelling forward

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Also there is an exemption I believe for purpose built hackney vehicles if I have remembered that correctly

I remember once seeing a BMW in a layby on the A1 which had been pulled by police for having unreadable numberplates the police had made the bloke take his shirt off to wipe the numberplates clean I bet that went down well when he got to his next meeting

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I don't think the police "made" him take his shirt off to wipe the plate. I think the guy decided to use his shirt because he didn't have anything else to use. Personally in such a situation I would probably use one of my socks.

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Grandad,

I'm sure it was a clean your number plate or take a penalty situation and the sales rep didn't exhibit the sense to use socks !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I suspect he'd taken a strop and was trying to make some kind of juvenile point rather than having to use his shirt.

I mean, surely he would have had something in the car that could have been used rather than the shirt off his back? Do you mean he was bare-chested?

I think I'd rather use a finger rather than a shirt, although it might depend on how well the dirt was dried on. If it was that really dirty damp winter weather that dirties the car in an instant then it could easily be wiped off with a finger, then the finger cleaned sufficiently on your trousers or whatever to carry on.

I suspect that your first point is very near the mark.

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Grandad,

May have been I didn't stop to ask just had a chuckle as I drove past the policeman had a straight face though !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector