Drivers warned phone brightness can lead to £1000 fine | UK | News
Summer will officially end in Britain when the clocks go back on Sunday 26 October. As a result, drivers will face longer nights, less sun in the sky and, inevitably, an increase in seasonal road hazards.
What many drivers fail to realize is that small actions can not only put them in danger, but can also result in thousands in fines and several points on their license under the Highway Code.
Smart car camera company Nextbase Latest research reveals the most common mistakes drivers make when adjusting to darker evenings and how simple adjustments can avoid collisions and fines altogether.
Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, has shared her expert tips on how to avoid traffic fines as the days get shorter and the nights get longer in Britain.
Reduce the brightness of the phone; this could save you £1000
Bryn warns drivers: “As the evenings approach earlier and drivers rely more on their phones for sat nav or hands-free calls, remember to reduce screen brightness. A glare-filled screen can impair drivers’ night vision and distract you from the road ahead, potentially putting you at risk of prosecution.”
It continues: “The problem is more common than you think – our research reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of drivers go so far as to use their phone to engage in business calls while driving, highlighting how easy it is to become distracted.”
While using a hands-free phone is legal when properly secured, drivers can still face hefty fines if police believe it causes dangerous driving. A distraction-related offense can result in a £1,000 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence.
Forget those British attitudes; these could cost you £1000
Bryn warns: “When driving on dark evenings, many drivers flash their headlights to say ‘thank you’ or to indicate that another car may be pulling over. Although this may seem like a harmless act, the Highway Code is clear that flashing headlights should only be used to alert other road users to your presence. Using them for any other reason could be considered misleading and if they contribute to an accident, you could face a fine of up to £1,000 for careless driving.” You may encounter it.”
He also notes: “Interestingly, our research found that 32% of drivers disagree with this rule, suggesting a significant number are putting themselves at risk and flashing their lights, risking points and penalties. Instead, a simple wave will do, or if you can resist the British urge, no thanks, it could save thousands.”
A 15-minute stop at the service station could save you up to £5,000
The road safety expert explains: “When the clocks go back, thousands of people will be driving home in the dark for the first time in more than six months, and many drivers underestimate how quickly their alertness can wane when driving in darker conditions. Reduced visibility, long, boring stretches of road and natural dips in the body clock can cause microsleeps, brief, involuntary lapses of attention that last only a few seconds but are enough to trigger serious accidents.”
He advises: “The solution is to take regular breaks – 15 minutes every two hours – but our research shows that 42% of drivers either rarely or never do this. Not only is failure to manage fatigue behind the wheel dangerous, careless or dangerous driving can also lead to a fine of up to £5,000, up to 9 demerit points or even a driving ban, depending on the severity of the incident.”
Make this your next Autumn read – otherwise it could set you back as much as £2,500
Statistics show that 35% of drivers do not look at the Highway Code after passing their driving test. Additionally, almost half (48%) of drivers admit they do not take the Highway Code seriously enough.
Bryn says: “The Highway Code is there to protect and educate. With nights getting darker and visibility decreasing, now is one of the most dangerous times of the year to drive. Regularly reviewing the Highway Code can help prevent accidents, avoid fines and make sure you’re not unfairly blamed if something goes wrong.”
Invest in an extra pair of eyes
A road safety expert recommends investing in dash cams, saying: “Dark nights lead to reduced visibility and hidden hazards that can increase the risk of accidents. While dash cams won’t stop things from happening, they can provide crucial evidence if you’re involved in an accident beyond your control.”
“When bad weather and reduced visibility lead to someone hitting you or other unavoidable events, clear images can be your best defense in insurance disputes and can help you determine what really happened when visibility is poor.”
