6 driving laws you may not realise you are breaking this summer

If you are planning on driving during the warm weather, here are a few laws you need to watch out for. 

Driving in unsuitable footwear

With the weather set to remain hot throughout the coming days you might be tempted to wear flip-flops or go barefooted when behind the wheel. 

According to the RAC it is not illegal to drive while in flip-flops, however their is a catch. 

If you are wearing what could be considered unsuitable footwear, such as having wet feet if you’ve been for a dip in the sea, then this is consider illegal and you could face penalty points or a fine. 

Taking hay fever medication before driving 

Around 13 million people in the country are affected by hay fever but if you take medication to combat the allergy, you may be at risk of being banned from driving. 

It is illegal to drive while on drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, and antihistamines can cause drowsiness. So if you take them before driving then you could risk being charged with drug-driving, which carries a penalty of one-year driving ban and an unlimited fine. 

Are you wearing the wrong sunglasses? 

In sunny weather, there is nothing worse than having glare in your eyes. 

But before you put on your favourite pair of sunglasses next time you get behind the wheel, you should be aware that it is illegal to drive with certain types. 

If you are wearing Class 4 type sunglasses, which only allow 3 per cent and 8 per cent of light through, these are not suitable for wearing while driving at any time, the RAC have said. 

Is it illegal to eat and drink while driving? 

Staying hydrated in warm weather is a key part of preventing dehydration or even heatstroke. 

But if you are wondering whether you can drinking – soft drinks, hot drinks or water – while behind the wheel, according to the RAC it is a bit of a tricky answer. 

It is not illegal to take a drink or a bite of a sandwich as you are driving, unless it distracts you. 

The RAC gives the example of if you have a hot coffee on a morning commute, if you suddenly spill it and get distracted then you could face being prosecuted for careless driving. 

This carries a maximum penalty of £5,000, 3 to 9 points on your licence and a discretionary driving disqualification.

Turning up the tunes for a summer drive 

When the weather is good, many of us will want to roll down the windows and listen to some summer tunes while driving. 

However if you have the music too loud, then under rule 148 of the Highway Code you could be distracting yourself while behind the wheel and could face a fine of £100. 

Not properly restraining your dog 

If you are thinking of making the most of the good weather and driving somewhere like the beach to take your dog for a walk, then you should make sure you are aware of the do's and don’t’s of having your fury friends in the car. 

You should make sure they are properly restrained, while it may look cute to have your dog hang out of the window it is very dangerous. 

Also if your dog is roaming around in the car you run the risk of being distracted, meaning you run the risk of being fined, also you risk hurting your dog if they aren't properly restained in the event of a crash.