From parking to beeping your horn – ten ways you could be fined up to £5k

MOTORISTS need to be careful which lines they cross because straying a few inches over one can cost a fortune.

We told yesterday how a driver was fined £100 when his bumper overhung a parking space even though his wheels were well inside the spot.

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But you can also be penalised for straying over into a cycling lane or even performing the courtesy of flashing your lights to indicate another road user can go first.

So do you really know the rules? Here we look at the other highway robberies . . . 

THINK INSIDE THE BOX: A few years ago the Highway Code was updated so that stopping your vehicle beyond the white lines of the box intended for cyclists could result in a £100 fine plus three penalty points.

PARK THE PARP: Letting the driver in front know that the traffic light has turned green by honking your horn might have you saying ‘bleep’ to a £1,000 fine.

Motorists should avoid beeping between 11.30pm and 7am in built-up areas.

KEEP IT CLEAN: Drivers need to keep their number plate dirt-free so it is readable for Automatic Number Plate Recognition – ANPR – devices. The maximum fine is £1,000.

ONE DIRECTION: One of the least known laws of the road is that you shouldn’t park “against the direction of traffic unless in a recognised parking space” at night because other road users won’t be able to see your rear reflectors.

The potential penalty is £1,000.

DON’T BE FLASH: You may flash your headlights to let another driver out, or thank them but you risk a £1,000 fine as it should only be done to let other road users know you are there.

CUT KERB COURTESY: In London’s cramped streets it might be tempting to park on the pavement in order to give other drivers the room to pass, but this could result in a £70 fine.

Outside of the capital the Highway Code simply states you “should” not do it, rather than “must” not.

LEAD FROM THE FRONT: Failure to “make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you” while driving can lead to a fine of up £5,000 and three points on your licence.

HOLD IT IN: Spending a penny on the hard shoulder of a motorway could cost you £100, because drivers should only stop on one or a refuge in an emergency, such as a mechanical fault.

CHILD’S PAY: Since 2017 all kids in your car aged under 12 or 4ft 4in in height must use a child seat. The penalty can reach up to £500.

SEE CLEARLY: One rule is clear and that is your windscreen must be. Blunted window wipers or not clearing off snow can lead to a £100 penalty.