Most common motoring myths revealed – from driving with headphones on to the number of drinks you can have
EVERY motorist hears the same myths at some point in their life behind the wheel.
"Don't drive with the internal light on... you can have two pints and be fine to drive... men are better drivers than women."
But how many of these common driving myths are true, and how many are complete rubbish?
We have put together a round-up of some of the most common driving delusions to give you the truth once and for all.
Myth: It's illegal to have a light on in the car while driving
This is false.
There is no law in the UK against having a light on inside a moving car. You cannot be fined for this.
But if you are pulled over by the police and they deem the light to be an obstruction of your ability to drive safely, they have the right to ask you to turn it off.
Myth: It is illegal to drive with headphones on
This falls under police discretion.
While there is no specific law that states a driver can't have headphones on, a police officer would be within their rights to charge you with driving without due care and attention, or even careless driving, should they deem the headphones to be distracting you.
Headphones may block out traffic sounds and emergency sirens, making you a potential hazard for other road users.
If you are charged under these offences, you could be slapped with a fine of up to £2,500.
Myth: It's illegal to have open alcohol in your car
Surprisingly, this is also false.
Motorists are permitted to have open alcohol in their car, but drivers are heavily discouraged in the Highway Code from drinking while driving.
Laws relating to alcohol and driving in the UK are only specific to the driver being under the legal blood alcohol limit, the reported.
But road users can be prosecuted for drinking alcohol in a car while supervising a learner driver.
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Myth: My fully-comprehensive insurance means I'm covered if I drive other cars
This is true - for the majority of cases.
As long as you have permission from the owner of the vehicle, a fully-comprehensive driver should be insured to drive most cars.
But it is always best to check with your insurance provider before getting behind the wheel of a car that isn't yours.
Myth: You can have a pint or two and be fine to drive
No shock here, this is entirely false.
How many drinks a person can have and still be under the limit changes from person to person.
Influenced by a range of factors including gender, size, medication and food consumption, there is not set number of drinks anyone can swear by to always keep you under the limit.
The recommends that anyone planning on driving avoids consuming any alcohol.
Myth: Men are better drivers than women
This is neither true nor false.
It is impossible to say with absolute certainty that one gender is more skilled behind the wheel than the other.
Numerous studies will claim men exceed the speed limit more than women, or than women aren't as good at parking as men.
Regardless of any findings, driving skill is down to an individual, not a specific gender.
But men have been shown to be far more reckless on the road, and were found to be 10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than women.
Other driving myths and laws
We busted 12 speed camera myths that drivers have been getting wrong, while also finding out whether it was illegal to smoke and wear flip-flops while driving.
And if you thought laws in the UK were tight, these bizarre traffic laws from around the world will blow you away.
