Drivers face £5,000 fine for these four common mistakes behind the wheel – including eating and adjusting your seat

DRIVERS could be hit with huge fines if they make any of these four common mistakes behind the wheel.

Motorists who are rusty on the Highway Code should be aware that they could be slapped with a £5,000 fine for eating, being distracted by passengers, adjusting their seat or swerving across lanes.

2

2

Some of these behaviours can fall under the ‘careless and inconsiderate driving’ offence or be classed as driving without due care and attention.

According to Rule 148 of the Highway Code, drivers must “avoid distractions when driving or riding such as…trying to read maps, starting or adjusting any music or radio…eating and drinking.

Under the Highway Code, motorists can be penalised for driving without due care and attention but this not necessarily a black and white offence.

However, any driving that demonstrates lack of alertness to the dangers of the road, or a disregard for other road users (whether deliberate or not), could fall under this category.

Allowing yourself to be distracted by passengers in the car, adjusting your seating position and swerving across lanes are just some other common examples of allowing yourself to be distracted while driving.

These offences could not only lead to fines of £5000 but up to nine points on a driver’s license. Some motorists may even be disqualified from driving in serious cases.

It comes after changes to the Code last month meant that drivers could be hit with a £1,000 fine for opening their door wrong.

Motorists should also be alert as a Highway Code change in January meant there are £100 fines for stopping or parking in 12 new places.

Volkswagen Financial Services UK is reminding drivers to avoid the four common behaviours.

Research from the car finance provider shows that 24% of Brits are planning a domestic road trip this spring, with these journeys usually involving long drives.

Mike Todd, CEO at Volkswagen Financial Services UK, said: “Not everyone will be aware of these rules in the Highway Code, but it’s vitally important that people understand what they can and can’t do whilst behind the wheel.

“With Covid restrictions ending in England, we’re likely to see more drivers on the road so it’s important as ever to be alert and undistracted in the car.

“Knowing and complying with the laws of the road is essential not just to avoid a fine but to keep everyone on our roads safe.”

It’s also important to note that tuning your radio or touching your sat nav while you are at the wheel could also land you in some hot water.