The world of road transport is constantly changing, with new technologies being constantly developed and released, and political borders being occasionally fiddled with. Reflecting these changes are changes in motoring law in the UK. If it’s been awhile since you first passed your driving test, some of these legal changes might have passed under your radar. Let’s take a look at four of the most significant recent ones.
Using mobile phones
It’s illegal for you to use your phone while you’re driving for any reason. Before, you could have used your phone if you were doing it for something other than calling, such as picking out your favourite podcast, or fiddling with your GPS. Now, there’s no such get-out.
According to Brake, the road safety charity, using a phone behind the wheel makes you four times more likely to crash. Even hands-free calls aren’t safe, especially if you’re going through multiple junctions. When you’re holding a conversation with your passenger, they will naturally stop talking to allow you to concentrate at junctions – but no such thing is possible with participants in a phone conversation.
Speed limiters
The EU has come out with a new General Safety Rule, which insists that new cars launched on the continent must come with Intelligent Speed Assistance. While the UK could technically dispense with this rule, doing so would severely disrupt vehicle standardisation between the two. As it stands, you have the option to turn the limiter off – but it’ll turn itself back on again if you need to restart the vehicle. The speed you’re limited to will depend on the area in which you’re driving in.
Shipping to Europe
If you’re driving into the EU, and you’re carrying goods or people with you, then you’ll need a special new license. This applies to minibus schemes. For LGVs, HGVs, vans and trailers, there’s already an international goods-shipping system in place.
It’s worth also bearing in mind that certain states in the EU have requirements for winter tyres. On the continent, all tyres designed for winter are marked with ‘M + S’, (for ‘Mud and Snow). There are also 3PMSF tyres, which are marked with the distinctive Three-Peak Mountain and Snowflake. These are made for snowy conditions in particular. If you’re travelling to a snowy part of the continent, you should consider a set of these tyres, along with some snowchains, a requirement.
Low Emissions Zones
Local authorities across the UK are doing whatever they can to slash levels of exhaust-borne pollution. This means imposing fines on vehicles who fail to meet the required standard in certain zones. There are already zones in place in Brighton, London, and Birmingham – but it’s worth regularly checking to see whether you’re driving into a protected area, especially if you’re unfamiliar with local roads.
