It’s not just drivers that have to worry about breaking the law, their passengers can cause them bother too
Drivers don’t only have to worry about their own mistakes getting them in trouble with the law, their passengers can also cause them problems too. Breaking several of these little-known rules can also lead to people being fined almost £7000 as well being hit with 9 points on their licence.
Car expert Nick Millerchip from electric camper van service Van Junkies is now warning drivers to be aware of the rule breaks that could cost them dearly. And one rule that might surprise many is that unsecured pets could cost drivers £5,000.
Nick said: “According to the Highway Code, pets should be properly restrained to prevent them from distracting the driver. If a pet is not secured correctly, the driver could face a fine of up to £5,000.”
Amongst the other rules that could cause you problems is passengers not wearing seatbelts, carrying too many people in the car and also lighting a cigarette.
Seatbelts: £500
Allowing passengers to ride without seatbelts is not just a safety risk, it’s a financial one too. If your passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts, you could face a fine of £100, and more if children aren’t properly restrained, up to £500 for each unbelted child.
Nick added: “Making sure all passengers are properly secured before setting off can help drivers avoid these costly fines.”
Carrying too many passengers: £100
Nick continued: “Many drivers overlook the impact of having too many passengers in their vehicles. Although no strict laws state the exact number of passengers allowed, it can lead to distractions or even blind spots that make driving dangerous.
“If caught, drivers could face fines of £100 for careless driving, and potentially invalidate their insurance in the process.”
Smoking: £100
While there’s no law specifically banning vaping while driving, if vaping causes careless or distracted driving, drivers could face a £100 fine and three penalty points. If an incident occurs as a result, the penalties could be even more severe.
Smoking cigarettes in a car with someone under the age of 18 is illegal and can lead to a £50 fine for both the driver and the person smoking.
Passengers using phones: £1,000
Passengers using their phones can also cause major problems for drivers. If a passenger uses their phone while supervising a learner driver, the driver could face a fine up to £1,000 and six penalty points on their license.
Nick said: “It’s essential that the supervising passenger pays full attention, just as if they were the driver themselves.
“Passengers may not be behind the wheel, but their actions can still lead to serious consequences. If a passenger’s phone use, whether through loud notifications, videos, or conversation, distracts the driver, the police can issue a fine or even prosecution.”
