Debunking 10 Common Driving Myths For International Road Safety Week

We’ve all heard driving myths touted as gospel. While many sound harmless, the reality is that misinformation on the roads can lead to unsafe driving, dangerous assumptions, and even legal consequences.

And with 1,602 people killed on UK roads in 2024 and over 29,000 seriously injured, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Despite major long-term improvements since the 1980s, recent trends show a troubling plateau and the risk is not shared equally across all road users.

For Road Safety Awareness Week, we’re debunking some of the most widespread driving myths to highlight why safe driving habits save lives.

Myth #1: You Can Drive 10% Over the Speed Limit.

Debunked: The idea that you’re allowed to drive 10% over the limit is a dangerous misconception. The Highway Code (Rule 124) states that the speed limit is the absolute maximum speed you can legally travel. Any amount over that, even 1 mph, is technically an offence. Speed contributes to thousands of serious injuries every year, and with 692 car occupant deaths in 2024, keeping to the limit is crucial.

The origins of this myth date back to when regional police forces once used a 10% leeway as guidance for determining whether a driver was above or below the limit. So, it’s important to remember that this is not permission to go faster or too slow. 

If you drive even slightly above the limit, you are breaking the law. Speed cameras can be triggered, and police officers can take action whether you are 10% above or below the limit. And with a driving conviction under your belt, this can make many insurance give you a wide berth should you need a new policy. Convicted car insurance and even convicted van policies do exist, but these will be slightly pricier due to convicted drivers being viewed as a higher risk factor by insurers. 

To find out more on insurance and motoring convictions, read our blog: How Do Driving Convictions Affect Insurance?

Myth #2: You Can Drive Barefoot or in Flip Flops

Debunked: It isn’t illegal to drive barefoot or in flip flops, but that doesn’t make it a safe choice.  The Highway Code (Rule 97) requires drivers to ensure they have appropriate footwear so they can operate vehicle controls correctly. 

Footwear that slips, gets caught or reduces control of the pedals can put you at risk of having an accident. And if your footwear choices lead to poor vehicle control, you may be charged with driving without due care and attention. 

Myth #3: You Can Eat While Driving

Debunked: Eating behind the wheel isn’t technically illegal. However, it can be considered a driving distraction that leads to an accident.

The Highway Code emphasises the need for complete control and concentration at all times (Rule 160). Distraction is a known contributor to collisions, and with 128,000+ casualties in 2024, any distraction behind the wheel is a serious risk.

Taking your hands off the wheel, dropping food or losing concentration can reduce reaction time and increase the chances of an accident. If your eating leads to careless or unsafe driving, you can be charged accordingly. It’s always safer to eat before or after your journey, or to pull over in a safe place.

Myth #4: It’s Illegal to Drive With Your Interior Car Lights On

Debunked: This long-standing myth is not true. It’s perfectly legal to drive with your interior light on. 

No rule in the Highway Code bans driving with an interior light on. However, Rule 113 requires drivers to ensure that all lights and visibility are not compromised. 

If the interior light causes glare, distracts the driver, or affects visibility, a police officer may ask you to switch it off. So while it isn’t illegal, it’s best to use interior lights sparingly while driving.

Myth #5: Drivers Can Go Above the Speed Limit When Overtaking

Debunked: There is no legal allowance that permits drivers to go over the speed limit when overtaking. Overtaking must always be done within the posted speed limit, as stated by Highway Code Rule 125.

If an overtake cannot be completed safely within the speed limit, then the manoeuvre should not be attempted. Exceeding the limit, even temporarily, can lead to penalties and increase risk. Safe overtaking relies on judging distance and timing, not speed.

Myth #6: You have a two-week ‘grace period’ to drive a vehicle after its MOT expires or it fails the test.

Debunked: There is no two-week ‘grace period’ after your MOT expires or after your vehicle fails its test. 

The moment your MOT expires, your vehicle is no longer legally roadworthy, and driving it on public roads (other than to a pre-booked MOT or repair appointment) is an offence.

The Highway Code (Rule 89) states that your vehicle must be deemed legally ‘roadworthy’ and the Road Traffic Act requires most vehicles to have a valid MOT certificate when used on public roads.

If your vehicle fails its MOT with a ‘dangerous’ defect, you cannot drive it at all, as it is considered unsafe for the road. Even with “major” defects, you may only drive it to a pre-booked test or repair appointment. Driving without a valid MOT can result in fines, penalty points, invalidated insurance and increased liability if a collision occurs. There is no grace period, so always ensure your MOT is carried out on time.

Myth #7: I Can Drive a Vehicle on a Motorcycle Licence

Debunked: A motorcycle licence does not allow you to drive a car. Cars require their own entitlement: a Category B licence. This misconception often arises around three-wheeled vehicles.

 The Highway Code and DVLA licensing rules make it clear that motorcycle entitlements do not permit you to drive a car. Cars require a Category B licence.

Confusion about this one  often comes from three-wheelers:

• Most modern three-wheelers (especially those over 15 kW) require a Category B car licence.
  
• Motorcycle licence holders before January 2013 may retain some rights to ride certain trikes, but new riders generally must hold the correct car entitlement.

Modern licensing rules generally require a car licence for these vehicles. We recommend that you always check your licence categories to avoid unintentionally driving without the correct entitlement.

Myth #8: Regular servicing is the same as an MOT.

Debunked: Servicing and MOTs are not the same thing. An MOT is a legal requirement that checks whether your vehicle meets minimum safety and environmental standards, while a service is routine maintenance recommended by manufacturers to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

The Highway Code (Rule 90) reminds drivers that they must ensure their vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at all times. While servicing helps maintain the car, it does not replace the legal requirement for an annual MOT. Many components checked in a service, such as oil, filters and engine condition, are not part of an MOT test, and an MOT only confirms minimum safety standards on the day of the test.

Myth #9: An MOT pass means a car is in perfect condition.

Debunked: An MOT pass simply confirms that your vehicle met minimum legal standards on the day it was tested. It does not guarantee that your car is fault-free or in perfect mechanical condition.

The Highway Code (Rule 90) makes it clear that drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle remains safe and roadworthy on every journey, not just once a year. 

Many key components of your car, such as the clutch, gearbox, battery, engine performance and electronic systems, are not inspected during a standard MOT. What’s more, parts that pass the test one day can degrade or become unsafe shortly afterwards.

An MOT pass is a snapshot of safety but does not guarantee long-term condition, so you must continue to carry out regular checks and servicing.

Myth #10: Driving slowly is always safe.

Debunked: Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. While excessive speed is a major contributor to collisions, unnecessarily slow driving can disrupt traffic flow, cause frustration and lead to risky overtaking by other road users.

Safe driving is about choosing the right speed for the conditions, not simply driving slowly. The Highway Code (Rule 146) advises drivers to travel at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions, and warns against driving so slowly that it creates a danger to others. Rule 63 also highlights that unexpected speed changes can place other road users at risk.

Driving far below the speed limit can cause bunching, hesitation and sudden braking, all of which increase collision risk. In some circumstances, driving too slowly can be considered careless or even dangerous if it creates unsafe situations.

Why Road Safety Week Matters

With almost 30,000 people seriously hurt in the past year, keeping up with your car’s safety checks, maintenance and understanding the difference between driving myths and facts are more important than ever.

Here’s why Road Safety Week matters:

• Every year, over 1,700 people in Britain die on the road, with another 30,000 suffering life-changing injuries (Brake).
  
• In 2024 alone, Great Britain recorded 1,602 fatalities.
  
• Total casualties of all severities reached 128,272, showing that road danger remains a persistent issue.

Some groups face significantly higher risks:

• Car occupants accounted for 692 deaths, the largest of any road user category.
• Motorcyclist fatalities increased by 8% from 2023 despite motorcyclists making up a smaller proportion of road users.
• Over three-quarters of all fatalities were male, with older male drivers seeing rising casualty rates.

For more information on Road Safety Week, visit road charity Brake.

Looking for more about the recent statistics on road safety in the UK? Check out our findings: The State of Road Safety in the UK: Who Is Most at Risk on the Roads?