Drivers warned they could face a £1,000 fine if they accidentally click a button in their motor
DRIVERS are being warned they could be stung with a £1,000 fine by doing something which most of us think is kind.
The button is one of the most important on the dashboard and is an important signal to other drivers.
Drivers could be hit with a fine and three penalty points if they thank motorists with their hazard lights while driving.
Tim Alcock, from Lease Van, said: “It’s common practise to say thank you to other drivers by flashing your lights but it’s in fact a serious breach of the Highway Code.
“While it’s a nice gesture to say thank you, using hazard lights excessively may lead to confusion among other drivers who believe there is a danger up ahead causing them to slam on their brake pedal.
The Highway Code says drivers must not use hazard lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead.
Tim said: “It also says to only use them for as long as necessary – while the warning has been observed.”
Tim had put together tips for drivers for when to and when not to use their hazard lights for Teesside Live.
Hazard lights should be used to alert about danger, alert about a breakdown, and to signal a heavy motorway queue.
However, they should not be used to say thank you to another driver, used when turning, and used for parking.
Meanwhile, drivers are just realising the “hidden” button which turns your motor into a race car – but there are some serious drawbacks.
The button is “Sport Mode” which is usually controlled via a switch or button toggle.
Sport Mode works by essentially acting as a sprint booster for your motor and is present in cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW models.
But, if drivers are looking to save money on fuel, there’s another button they could use.
The cruise control button, which can be found on the steering wheel of most modern motors, can make a huge difference when trying to save on petrol or diesel.
Driving faster than the speed limit can result in a major rise in fuel consumption – and that drivers should instead maintain a steady speed.
