Your Car – Seven things you are no longer allowed to do in your car.

The ban on smoking in cars with anyone under the age of 18 came into effect on 1st October 2015 but were you aware of the 7 other things that you were once allowed to do in cars but are now longer able to do them.

Letting your pet sit on the seats
Although it is a little known rule letting your pet travel in your car with you is prohibited by the Highway Code unless however the pet is restrained in someway. In the Highway code it says ‘when in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you whilst you are driving or injure you or themselves should you have to stop quickly. A seat belt harness pet cage/carrier or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars or allowing a dog to travel in the boot of a hatchback or estate car is also considered as a suitable method of restraint as long it does not distract the driver. Although the Highway Code cannot be used to prosecute you it can be used as evidence, in other words if you had an accident due to an unrestrained pet you could be found guilty of driving without due care and attention.

Using a mobile phone
Back in the day when mobile phones first came out you could text and dial numbers on hand held phones freely, but as of 2003 it became against the law to use one and since 2007 the standard penalty has been a £60 fine and three points on your licence.

Driving under the influence of Alcohol
The ban of driving under the influence of alcohol has been in force since 1966 when it was unveiled as part of the Road safety Bill and the breathalyser was introduced the following year to help police it.

Travelling without a seat belt
This law came into force in the UK in 1983 however there are a few exceptions when you are allowed to go without it which include when your reversing or supervising a learner driver who is or if you are driving a goods vehicle that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops. You are also allowed to go without if you are a licensed taxi driver who is either plying for hire or carrying passengers and also if you are in a vehicle being used for police fire and rescue services.

Carrying a child under the age of 3 in a car without seat belts
Although some classic cars do not require seat belts, by law it is illegal to carry any child below the age of 3 in such cars. Children aged 3 and over are allowed, but only in rear car seats.

Eating,smoking,drinking or applying make-up
Although the above actions do not come under an explicit law prohibiting them they come under the rule of not being in proper control of a vehicle.

Using a rear-facing child seat in the front
Now that most vehicles are fitted with passenger airbags as standard it is now important to avoid using rear-facing child seats in the front passenger seat as doing so could cause serious injuries to the child if the airbag goes off. Unless the airbag in the passenger seat is deactivated it is against the law to use a rear-facing child seat in a front passenger seat.

Happy Motoring !!!