27/11/19
Seasonal Motoring Advice
Share
It is frequently the case that the Motoring Offences Team at Kangs Solicitors encounters clients who have either forgotten or have never appreciated some basic driving requirements throughout those months when driving is frequently conducted in dark, misty, frosty, wet conditions or a combination of several of them.
Car drivers should be aware of their legal obligations and Sukhdip Rhandawa of Kangs Solicitors mentions some of them.
Daytime
- Lights should be clearly visible in the daytime with brake lights always working. Constant and unnecessary braking may be considered to be inconsiderate driving
- Headlights and fog lights should be used when visibility is reduced but drivers must avoid dazzling other motorists
- When dipped headlights are used in poor weather conditions, they should be turned off when the weather improves as failure to do so could be regarded as inconsiderate driving
Night-time
- Headlights at night should be used between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise
- They should be dipped in built up areas including when approaching other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders
Brake lights
- These should always be maintained in working order and kept clean
- The use of a vehicle with defective brake lights may result in Police action including:
- A Fixed Penalty Notice - £60 fine and three points on your licence
- A Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice – 14 days to fix the fault and provide proof of the fix
- Your car taken off the road immediately
Hazard lights
- Hazard lights should only be used where the vehicle is completely stationary, perhaps due to a breakdown
- They should not be used as an excuse to drive illegally, dangerously or for illegal parking
Fog lights
- Where visibility is at a minimum, fog lights should be used
- However, fog lights should not be used where there is clear visibility, especially at night when other drivers may be easily dazzled
- Illegal use could be construed to be dangerous or could result in a non endorseable Fixed Penalty Notice involving a £50 fine
Windows
- Windows should be kept clean at all times
- Where vehicles are fitted with tinted windows, at least 75% of light should be allowed through the front windows and 70% through the front side windows
- There is no rule in relation to rear passenger windows
- Breach of these requirements may lead to insurance being invalidated and vehicle seizure
- Windscreen cracks, depending on the size, could be construed as dangerous or could lead to a number of different motoring offences being committed
Who Can I Contact For Help?
If we can be of assistance, contact our team using the details below:
Tel: 0333 370 4333
Email: info@kangssolicitors.co.uk
We provide initial no obligation discussion at our three offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Alternatively, discussions can be held through video conferencing or telephone.
Criminal Litigation, Sexual Offences
It is important to understand that if you are required to attend a formal interview by any law enforcement agency, whether it is presented as a relaxed, casual discussion or described as a voluntary interview, the underlying purpose of such an interview is to gather evidence that may be used to support a criminal prosecution. […]
13/01/26
Criminal Litigation, Services
When an individual suspected of criminal activity has been taken into custody by the police, but the available evidence is deemed insufficient at that point to charge an offence, it may be necessary to release that individual from custody subject to one or more activity restrictions. Following the arrest of a suspect, the police must […]
08/01/26
Criminal Litigation
The criminal offence of Blackmail is committed when an individual makes an unwarranted demand with menaces against another, with a view to gain for himself or another. The criminal litigation team at KANGS is well placed to advise on blackmail allegations. The offence is treated by the courts as being extremely serious and, if found […]
12/12/25
