True or false? Rules of summer driving

TRUE

There is no specific law preventing passengers from drinking alcohol in a car. However, the driver must remain under the legal alcohol limit and in full control of the vehicle. Drunk passengers can also become a distraction, potentially increasing the risk of a collision.

TRUE

There is no law that prohibits driving in a bikini, swimming trunks, or other form of swimwear. However, drivers must always maintain proper control of their vehicle. If your clothing or footwear affects your ability to drive safely, you could still be prosecuted for careless driving. Also, without suitable clothing, you could get abrasions from the seatbelt if you are forced to brake quickly.

TRUE

There is no law that prohibits driving in a bikini, swimming trunks, or other form of swimwear. However, drivers must always maintain proper control of their vehicle. If your clothing or footwear affects your ability to drive safely, you could still be prosecuted for careless driving. Also, without suitable clothing, you could get abrasions from the seatbelt if you are forced to brake quickly.

FALSE

Although sleeping in your car may seem like the responsible option, you could still be charged with being ‘drunk in charge’ of a vehicle if you're over the legal alcohol limit. Factors such as where you're sitting, whether you have access to the keys and whether you could realistically drive the vehicle may all be considered by police. Also, during the summer months, a car can become dangerously hot to sleep in, so it could end up being both illegal and lethal.

FALSE

Drinking alcohol-free beer while driving is not illegal as most alcohol-free beers contain either no alcohol or only trace amounts that won't put you over the drink-drive limit. However, because the packaging often resembles regular beer, you may attract unwanted attention from the police if seen drinking it behind the wheel. Therefore, it’s advisable to drink something else.

TRUE

Black cars generally gain more sunlight than lighter-coloured vehicles because darker surfaces absorb more heat energy. As a result, black cars can become hotter both externally and internally when parked in direct sunlight. However, factors such as shade, ventilation, and window tinting also play a major role in the actual temperature of a vehicle. Modern vehicles have great air conditioning, so the colour doesn’t necessarily have a major impact while on a road trip – only when initially getting into the vehicle.

TRUE

Although there is no law specifically banning drivers from eating an ice cream, or food and drink, while driving, but if doing so causes you to lose control of the vehicle, you could be prosecuted for that or careless driving. The legal issue is the distraction, not the ice cream itself.

FALSE

A wasp (or any other bug) flying into your car may explain why you became distracted, but it does not excuse poor driving. Drivers are still expected to remain in control of their vehicles at all times. If your reaction to an insect results in careless or dangerous driving, you could face penalties from the police. Consider keeping the windows closed and the air conditioning on to avoid this.

FALSE 

Resting your arm out of the window is not specifically illegal, however, if police believe you are not in proper control of the vehicle, you could be penalised.

TRUE

High temperatures can cause pressure to build up inside fizzy drink cans – causing them to explode. In very hot conditions, particularly inside a parked vehicle, cans can swell, leak or occasionally burst. While explosions are relatively rare, they can create a sticky mess and potentially damage the vehicle's interior. Also, if it happened when driving, the distraction from the unexpected noise could lead to a crash.

TRUE

A passenger can physically rest their feet on the dashboard, and there is no specific law banning it. However, it’s strongly discouraged because airbags deploy at very high speeds during a collision. If an airbag inflates while someone's feet are on the dashboard, it can cause severe injuries to the legs, hips, pelvis, and face. A simple internet search will provide countless stories (and images) of broken bones and worse as a result of resting feet on the dashboard. It can also be distracting to the driver and potentially obscure their vision.

TRUE

While suncream is designed to protect your skin, it can seriously damage your car's exterior if it gets onto the paintwork. Sunscreen contains oils, chemicals and UV-filtering ingredients that can leave stubborn marks on paint, chrome and glass – it will leave handprints if you rest on it! If smeared onto the bodywork through contact with hands, arms or beach equipment, it can leave residue that can also attract dirt and is even more difficult to remove. Regular washing and promptly cleaning can help prevent staining and keep your car looking its best.