It really got me thinking though... is that actually illegal?
It turns out it can be classed as "careless driving".
This is what Google AI came up with:
"Driving with hazard lights on is generally illegal in the UK while moving, except on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn traffic behind of a hazard or sudden traffic jam ahead. According to Rule 116 of the Highway Code, they are primarily for warning others when your vehicle is stationary and causing an obstruction".
Rule 116 isn't worded that way though, it says this:
"116: Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning 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. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed. Law RVLR reg 27"
The end of that mentions "Law RVLR reg 27" where it goes beyond the Highway Code and into actual legislation, it says this:
"27. No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle on which any lamp, hazard warning signal device or warning beacon of a type specified in an item in column 2 of the Table below is used in a manner specified in that item in column 3."
It's too much to paste so I won't but it's there:
Code: Select all
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/27Then I thought, if that cop was highly strung or whatever, could he pull over that truck driver and tell him not to do it? Could he fine him? Could the truck driver even get jail time?
I know no cop would ever do that - but it's the principle of it and what if the cop was really hot headed, what could he legally do as a punishment?
Is there anything even less of a crime than this you could be pulled for?
I know there's a lot of outdated laws that almost don't apply anymore but there's so many of these quirky things it is interesting to me. I mean what's the most victimless thing you can be fined and/or even put in jail for doing, but no cop in his right mind would bother to pull someone up for it?
You guys in this forum are always talking about the highway code and with it being a cycling forum I can see why, so maybe there could be some other really inane acts that are illegal?
