Highway Code rules on eating and drinking in your car

Most drivers like to think they know what they are doing. When it comes to the Highway Code, many will be pretty sure they are safe drivers and know the rules well.

But the truth is there are many things you could be doing on the road that are classed as a distraction, and you probably don’t know it. As stated simply on the official GOV.UK website, “safe driving and riding needs concentration.” 

Under Rule 148, the Highway Code urges people to “avoid distractions when driving or riding” and this includes common habits such as eating and drinking.

As well as urging people not to do this to allow full focus of the road – and keep two hands on the wheel at all times – the code also advises against people playing loud music, cautioning people that doing “this may mask other sounds.”

The code also says that if you are trying to read a map or you start or adjust your music or the radio, this could also cause distractions.

The list does not end there. The code also says “arguing with your passengers or other road users” should always be avoided as not only can it cause loud sounds, but you may take your eyes off the road, or get angry and not be alert to anything you need to react to such as roadworks, a red light or someone in the middle of the road.

The code also mentions smoking as a habit that should also be avoided by some drivers. The code says: “You MUST NOT smoke in public transport vehicles or in vehicles used for work purposes in certain prescribed circumstances. Separate regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland.

“In England and Wales, the driver MUST NOT smoke or allow anyone to smoke in an enclosed private vehicle carrying someone under 18, including motor caravans. In Scotland it is an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to smoke in a private motor vehicle (unless it is parked and being used as living accommodation) when there is someone under 18 in the vehicle and the vehicle is in a public place.”

Drivers are also being alerted to other guidance they should be aware of. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has urged people with a car to set up an alert to avoid being fined and save their vehicle from being clamped. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), they stressed the importance of acting quickly, noting that the process only takes a few minutes.

Their fresh message reads: “Set up your Driver and vehicles account on http://GOV.UK and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email. Do it today – it only takes 5 minutes.” They are reminded that “it’s illegal to drive your vehicle until you’ve taxed it.”

Meanwhile, they also warned on their website: “You’ll be fined £80 if you do not tax your vehicle or tell DVLA that it’s off the road. You’ll also have to pay for the time it was not taxed. If you do not pay your fine on time your vehicle could be clamped or crushed, or your details passed to a debt collection agency.” You can find out how to tax your car here – and what happens if you don’t.