As millions of parents prepare for the school run this September, a motoring expert has revealed a series of little-known driving laws that could see mums and dads slapped with fines of up to £5,000 – or even penalty points on their licence.
The timely advice has been issued by Imran Malek, Corporate Sales Manager at leading motoring website DrivingExperience.
Imran said: "The school run is stressful enough without being hit with a fine you didn't even know existed. From leaving the engine idling outside the gates to scrolling on your phone in a drive-through queue, there are plenty of obscure motoring rules that catch parents out. A bit of awareness can save you a lot of money and hassle."
Idling Engine – Bad For The Planet, Bad For The Pocket
Drivers who leave an engine running unnecessarily when a vehicle is stationary on a public road, such as outside the school gates, can face a £20 penalty notice, while the maximum fine if it goes to a magistrates' court is an eye-watering £1,000.
The same punishments also face motorists who leave a parked vehicle unattended on a public road with the engine running, possibly to warm up the interior as temperatures start to fall. Both offences are punishable to cut the number of idling engines and help improve air quality.
Splashing Pedestrians – Splish, Splash is a No-No
Pavements are full of parents, carers and children at school drop off and collection times, but splashing them while driving pass is most definitely not allowed.
Doing so would be considered as driving 'without reasonable consideration for other persons' under the Road Traffic Act.
Offending drivers can face a £100 fixed penalty notice and the three penalty points on the driver's licence, but the fine can rise to a staggering £5,000 if the case ends up in court.
After School Drive-Through Treat – Don't Let it Leave a Bad Taste
Rewarding children with a drive-through treat after school at their favourite fast-food outlet could end up costing much more than the price of just a burger and milkshake.
That's because the Highway Code states that drivers must not hold and use a mobile phone to text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web, while behind the wheel of a car.
This includes scrolling on a phone while waiting in a queue at a drive-through. Those found guilty can face six penalty points on their licence and fines of up to £1,000. There is an exception when making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving.
Kerb Entry – a Sensible Safety Precaution
Rule 102 of The Highway Code states that drivers who are carrying children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles should ensure that children get into the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb.
It's designed to protect children entering cars next to oncoming traffic, and is more advisory than enforced.
Music – Can Hit the Wrong Note if Played too Loudly
After a day at school, children might be tempted to let loose on the way home in the car by turning up the volume on the car's speakers when listening to their favourite tunes.
However, playing music too loudly in a car goes against Rule 148 of the Highway Code which says that safe driving needs concentration, and that loud music is a distraction as it may mask other sounds.
Possible punishments include a £100 fine and three penalty points. However, if it falls under dangerous driving, which is more serious, then guilty drivers can face an unlimited fine, driving ban and imprisonment.
Imran added: "There's lots of things to remember and organise at the start of a new school year, and keeping the right side of the motoring law is one of them."
"Commonsense driving and being courteous to other drivers, and pedestrians, on the school run will go a long way to making it a pleasant, and safe, journey."
Want to give your kids a head start on road safety? Our Under 17s Driving Lessons help them learn the rules before they even take the wheel for real.
