10 Road Rules Every Parent Could Be Breaking Right Now

Busy parents are just about to become even busier as the summer holidays loom.

Family cars are usually a hot bed of activity, carrying sports gear, extra bags full of supplies, family pets and noisy electronic devices. Parents also don’t always have the luxury of time to do extra checks before setting off, so it’s important the vehicle is regularly maintained with weight limits and tyre pressures up to code. Car insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk have created a handy checklist to help busy parents get ready for summer – pointing out key dangers and how to avoid them.

Ian Wilson, Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk said: “Many parents and guardians might not be aware of some of these unusual rules of the road but ignoring them can be dangerous for all road users and may also result in hefty fines and penalty points. Driving with children can also be stressful, and lots of extra organisation is normally needed to make sure the vehicle and passengers are safe and ready for summer road trips. Ensuring the car is clean, well packed with no loose items and that larger equipment such as bikes and scooters don’t block visibility is essential. It can be tempting to drive around with everything children might possibly need, such as beach day essentials and camping gear, but not only will it drain the fuel, it can affect the handling of the vehicle and even land parents in trouble with the law if vehicle weight limits are exceeded. It’s also important to declare any modifications drivers make to the vehicle such as adding a bike carrier or tow bar, as if they have an incident and the insurance provider isn’t aware of these items, it could invalidate the cover altogether.”

Tiger.co.uk‘s summer driving checklist for parents:

Can’t see out

Parents need to be careful if they have a boot full of accessories and wet weather provisions, as inhibited views can land drivers with a £1,000 fine and three points on a driving licence.*

Additional mess

Child car seats need regularly re installed and cleaned to ensure they are in good working order, mess and crumbs could prevent them from working properly.

Extra checks

Tyre pressures need checked and inflated regularly, especially if carrying heavy items such as bikes or roof boxes.  Motorists can be fined a hefty £2,500 for each faulty tyre and receive three points on their driving licence.

Summer add-ons

Not declaring roof boxes, towbars, bike carriers as well as other summer modifications including window tints and sunroofs could void car insurance policies.

Extra weight

Every additional 45kg the car carries reduces fuel economy by 2%.  Simply driving with an empty roof box or keeping the boot full of clutter can drain the fuel and affect the handling of the vehicle.

Clean plate

It’s a legal requirement that the number plate be clean and visible at all times or drivers could face a fine of £1,000.

Flying dangers

Items not restrained properly in the car can become very dangerous on impact or during a sudden manoeuvre, even a bottle of water or a phone can become a projectile and cause real damage, especially to children. Items need to be stored in holders or carriers or packed into the boot or glovebox – never left on the parcel shelf.

Not too noisy

Rule 148 of the Highway Code advises against excessive noise which may distract drivers from important sounds like sirens – with a £100 fine and three penalty points, so be wary if the family are using electronic devices.

Paws inside

Allowing four-legged friends to hang their head out of the car window is against the law – it’s also bad for the pup’s health and can be distracting for the driver.

Keep hands on the wheel 

Drivers can get distracted by their children’s behaviour in the car, whether it’s attending to their needs or trying to calm them down.  According to Highway Code rule 160, drivers who take their hands off the steering wheel could face a £1000 fine and three penalty points, so better to be careful and pullover if an incident arises.

Tiger.co.uk gives families the tools to compare and find real savings on all sorts of essentials this summer, such as travel, home, pet and car insurance.