It’s not just texting or eating that can lead to fines and penalties; emotional disturbances inside the vehicle, like arguments, can also result in significant consequences. Mike Lowdon from Zego Van Insurance sheds light on this often-overlooked aspect of driving, focusing on how in-car arguments, barking dogs, and even crying children can lead to fines in the UK.
The Cost of Distraction: More Than Just Monetary
When emotions run high, our cognitive abilities can take a backseat. An argument, whether with a passenger or on a hands-free phone, can significantly divert a driver’s attention from the road. This reduction in focus is not just a safety hazard but is also a legal issue in the UK. Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they’re found not to be in proper control of their vehicle, with the potential for a £2,500 fine if you’re driving a van or lorry.
The Sound of Distraction: Barking Dogs and Crying Children
It’s not just human passengers that can cause a stir. Pets, particularly dogs, can become a source of distraction if they’re not properly restrained. A barking dog can startle a driver, leading to a momentary lapse in concentration that could have serious repercussions. The law is clear: if your pet is not secured, you could be fined £1,000 for driving without due care and attention.
Similarly, crying children can tug at a driver’s focus, pulling their attention away from the road. While it’s a natural instinct to want to attend to a child, doing so while driving splits a driver’s focus and increases the risk of an accident. It’s crucial to ensure children are entertained or soothed in a way that doesn’t require the driver’s direct involvement while the vehicle is in motion.
The Legal Landscape: Understanding the Fines
In the UK, the fines for these distractions are not just slapped on willy-nilly. They’re part of a broader effort to ensure road safety and reduce accidents caused by inattentiveness. Here’s a breakdown of potential fines:
- Lack of Control: Up to £1,000 for cars, rising to £2,500 for larger vehicles.
- Careless Driving: If your distraction causes you to drive carelessly, you could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your license. More severe cases could see fines of up to £5,000, nine penalty points, and even a court-imposed driving ban.
- Pets as Distractions: Failure to secure your pet can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 under rules for driving without due care and attention.
Mitigating Risks: Tips for a Safer Journey
To avoid these fines and, more importantly, ensure your safety and that of your passengers, consider the following tips:
- Stay Calm: If a conversation is heating up, consider pulling over to resolve it before continuing your journey.
- Secure Your Pets: Use appropriate restraints for pets to prevent them from becoming a distraction.
- Address Children’s Needs Beforehand: Ensure children have what they need before setting off, and if they require attention during the journey, find a safe place to stop first.
Mike Lowdon from Zego Van Insurance says:
While it’s impossible to control every aspect of your driving environment, being aware of how in-car dynamics like arguments or distressed passengers and pets can affect your focus is crucial. Not only can it save you from hefty fines, but it can also make the roads safer for everyone. As drivers, we have a responsibility to manage not just the vehicle but also the emotional climate inside it to ensure our journeys are as safe as possible.
credit : https://www.zego.com/business-van-insurance/
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