Drivers warned over little-known rule that could land you £5,000 fine for the way you use air conditioning
DRIVERS are being warned over a little-known rule that could land you a £5,000 fine.
The fine can be given out for the way you use your air conditioning – as according to the Highway Code your car must be “well ventilated”.
The reason for that is drivers need to avoid drowsiness and falling asleep at the wheel.
Sleepiness can make you a dangerous driver as you can make poor decisions and are not fully in control of the motor.
Rule 237 of the code reads: “You must keep your car well ventilated to avoid drowsiness”.
Failing to adhere to these guidelines and therefore not having proper control of the vehicle could land you with a £5,000 fine in the most serious cases.
An expert at insurance company Zego said: “A well-ventilated car helps in keeping the driver’s senses alert and minimises the risk of drowsiness. Even a brief loss of concentration can lead to accidents.
“A well-regulated cabin temperature can significantly reduce such risks.”
Edmund King, AA Charitable Trust director, previously said: “Drowsy driving is the hidden killer on our roads and, due to it being under-reported, the true picture is estimated to be even worse than these figures show.
“Our own research has shown one in eight drivers admit to falling asleep when driving. Falling asleep at the wheel, even for just a few seconds, is incredibly dangerous.
“Crashes involving a drowsy driver tend to be catastrophic because a driver who is asleep does not brake or steer away from anything.
“Awareness of the dangers is key to start solving the problem. Put simply, drivers need to wake up to the dangers that drowsy driving poses.”
Other lesser known rules drivers can be fined for are playing loud music, hogging the middle lane, and holding hands with a partner while driving.
Tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel
IAM RoadSmart’s advice on how to avoid the dangers of drowsy driving:
- Extreme tiredness can lead to micro-sleeps – a short episode of drowsiness or sleep that could last a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds. A car driving at 70 mph will travel 31 meters per second, giving plenty of time to cause a serious crash during a micro-sleep.
- The effects of losing one or two hours of sleep a night on a regular basis can lead to chronic sleepiness over time. So ensure you are well rested and feeling fit and healthy before you set off.
- Make sure you take regular rest breaks to split up the journey when driving on a long, boring stretch of a motorway. It’s good practise to stop at least every two hours and it’s essential to take a break before the drowsiness sets in.
- Plan an overnight stop. If you feel too fatigued to carry on driving, book yourself into a hotel at the next service station and sleep it off. It’s good to note that a caffeine high may be a quick fix, but it is not a long term solution and certainly no substitute for proper sleep.
- You’re bound to be tired after a full day at work, so avoid setting out on a long drive after you have finished for the day. It’s best to start your journey earlier on, and when you’re more alert.
- Avoid driving between the two peak times for sleepiness. These are between 3am and 5am and also between 2pm and 4pm.
- If you have taken prescribed medication, seek advice from your GP as to whether you should be driving or not. If bought over the counter, read the instructions on the pack or speak to a pharmacist.