Drivers could face fines if they don’t stick to four key road trip laws. An expert has warned of major dangers for road safety motorists are more at risk of when driving further. With the May half-term fast approaching, you may be planning day trips and activities which may require you to make longer journeys in the car. According to recent survey data, some typically travel up to 50 miles during the school holidays (35%), with others stretching the distance to 100 miles (23%).
Richard Evans, spokesperson for webuyanycar, the UK’s go-to online car-buying service, is sharing his advice for young families ahead of the half-term break to help them avoid traffic chaos, unwanted fines, and keep the roads safe. He reveals how often drivers are required to break from driving, how to tell if your vehicle is over-packed and what car checks to carry out before setting off particularly if you are travelling abroad.
Take breaks
Any one person must not drive for more than 5h 30m without taking a break for at least 30 minutes and one person should not drive for longer than ten hours per day.
These regulations are put in place to prevent drivers from losing concentration or falling asleep behind the wheel, impacting their ability to drive safely.
In the UK, if you are caught driving without taking a required break, you can be fined up to £300 by the DVSA, with the potential for this fine to increase to £1,500 if you repeat this offence within 28 days.
It is important to pre-plan your journey, knowing when you will stop at service stations, where you can stop for the night if appropriate and who can be a second driver to allow a fresh set of eyes.
Packing limit
Whilst most people assume a luggage weight limit only applies on aeroplanes, there is actually a limit on how much you can pack in your car before it impacts the car’s handling, breaking and suspension systems.
Each car has a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), which can be found in the vehicle handbook. Overloading your vehicle and exceeding this mass can make the vehicle difficult to control, making it dangerous, particularly in emergency situations.
Over-packing your vehicle can severely impact its handling, making it harder to drive, which can be dangerous on the roads for you and other users.
For this reason, packing too much in your car can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £300 as well as 3 points on your licence, depending on how far over the vehicle weight limit you are.
Signs that your vehicle has exceeded its MAM:
Underinflated or flattened tyres
Change in suspension of the vehicle, particularly at the rear
Unusual sounds from your suspension and problems with handling
Increased vehicle starting and stopping times
In addition, packing up your boot in a way which impacts the driver’s ability to see out the rear of the car can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your licence.
This is because under Rule 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, it is a legal requirement for drivers to have clear and unobstructed vision out of their front and rear windows.
Travelling abroad
If your long-haul drive is taking you abroad, it is important to familiarise yourself with local driving laws and requirements.
In France, it is recommended that you attach a UK sticker to your vehicle.
Additionally, there are mandatory items that you are required to have in your car, these include reflective jackets, a warning triangle and headlamp beam deflectors.
Make sure to research specific driving requirements before setting off this February half term.
Pre-travel car checks
Before setting off on a road trip this May half term, there are six essential checks you should make to ensure your vehicle is fit for purpose.
These can be remembered using the acronym FLOWER:
Fuel: Make sure you have a full tank of fuel and you know where you can top up your tank throughout your journey. The same applies to EVs, make sure your vehicle is fully charged and there are additional charging stations on route.
Lights: Double check that all your lights are working, this includes brake lights, fog lights and indicators. Any bulbs not working should be replaced before you begin your journey.
Oil: Ensure that oil levels are high enough to prevent low oil pressure, which could damage the vehicle during the journey.
Water: Make sure the vehicle’s engine coolant and brake fluid are topped up. Engine coolant should stay at around 200 degrees, as if the vehicle overheats it can cause damage and result in a breakdown.
Electrics: Ensure your car battery is working and double-check for any battery warning symbols on your dashboard, replacing the battery if necessary.
Rubber: Make sure the tyres are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the middle three-quarters and around the entire circumference.
