Drivers warned over potentially ‘illegal and lethal’ act this summer | UK | News
Britain’s motorists have been warned by one of the country’s best-known and recognized automotive bodies about some of the do’s and don’ts of summer driving.
The organization in question is the RAC, which has published a series of explanations for motorists about the myths and rules surrounding summer driving.
During the summer months, some drivers may be confused about exactly what they are and are not allowed to do, including whether they can drive while wearing a swimsuit.
However, the RAC also addressed the extremely serious issue of fitness to drive, warning drivers that they could get into big trouble in a particular scenario.
In an article covering some important do’s and don’ts of summer driving, they clarified whether they were true or false before answering.
One of the statements they addressed was whether someone could sleep in their car if they had drunk too much alcohol. They said it was a lie. As to why this is wrong, they explained that drivers can still be blamed, but they can still hurt themselves even if there is no one there to blame them.
They said: “While sleeping in your car may seem like a responsible option, you can still be charged with being ‘drunk’ while driving if you exceed the legal alcohol limit.
“Factors such as where you live, whether you have access to keys and whether you can realistically drive the vehicle may be taken into account by police. Additionally, in the summer months a car can become dangerously hot for sleeping, making it both illegal and fatal.”
This isn’t the only time the RAC has commented on staying safe in the car in recent weeks as the UK continues to bounce from one heatwave to the next, seeing the mercury approach and rise above 30°C.
While parts of the UK will enjoy a brief respite from the hot weather, the Met Office said hot conditions will soon return in the south. They said: “Many parts of England and Wales are likely to return to the mid-to-high twenties early next week, with the potential for temperatures to reach 30°C again in southern and eastern England by Tuesday.”
When it comes to on-board safety, RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams encouraged all drivers to keep summer essentials on board, saying earlier this month.
Mr Williams explained: “It’s essential to carry an emergency kit in case you get stranded on the roadside. This should include plenty of water, sunscreen, a large umbrella to protect from the sun and a portable battery pack to keep mobile phones charged.”
“It is also common at such high temperatures for tire pressures to rise significantly, triggering warning lights on the dashboard. We urge drivers not to deflate tires as this will likely result in too little pressure when the weather is cooler the next morning.”
