Drivers face mega £5,000 fine for chauffeuring pets in unusual UK driving law
Drivers could be slapped with a whopping £5,000 fine if they want to have their pet beside them, an insurance company has revealed.
If your pet wants to feel the breeze out the window or sit beside you in the passenger seat, you may have to give them a firm no - if you want to avoid being £5k or nine driving points poorer. The Highway Code states that for the safety of you and your pet, the pet should be “harnessed or kept in a pet carrier when you’re driving”, according to InsureTheBox (ItB).
It comes amongst a range of other rules and regulations which the insurance company has warned could land you with significant fines or driving punishments. These range from having a dirty licence plate to listening to music too loudly.
Using your phone to pay at a drive-thru could land you with a £200 fine and six points on your licence. InsureTheBox says: “Using your phone when behind the wheel is illegal in all cases, unless your engine is off and the handbrake is on” - so it’s best to use a bank card at all times.
Splashing pedestrians - even if totally accidental, can result in three points on the licence and a £100 - rising up to £5,000 if you are taken to court. It is considered “careless and inconsiderate driving” under the Road Traffic Act 1998.
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A dirty licence plate could result in a huge £1,000 fine. ItB says this is because of the “importance of showing your registration number correctly”. A dirty licence plate can also lead to a failed MOT, they warn.
Being rude to other drivers, including hand gestures or shouting, may be enough to warrant a £1,000 fine or three points on your licence - in fact, this falls under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. “Driving aggressively or in a 'selfish way', such as tailgating, pushing into a queue of traffic or failing to give way are also punishable offences,” ItB added.
Honking in an “aggressively” or “in stationary traffic” - i.e. without reasonable intent - can also lead to a £1,000 fine. The same fine can apply to warning other drivers of speed traps - flashing your lights to warn the driver behind is “considered obstructing a police officer in their duty”.
Drink driving is an obvious no-no, but few know that you may not even sleep in your car when drunk - even if it is stationary. ItB says: “Even though you’re not driving, and your car isn’t even moving, being inside your car whilst intoxicated could mean 10 penalty points and a hefty fine. It’s still considered as being “in charge of a motor vehicle” according to the Road Traffic Act 1988.”
Loud music is punishable as it can put you at risk, according to the Highway Code - however, ItB doesn't specify what the punishment would be. And finally, driving with snow on your roof can lead to £60 with 3 penalty points.
The message is clear: never take anything for granted while driving - you may be accustomed to many driving habits which would actually see you heavily fined.
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