These common driving mistakes could cost you almost £1,000 in fines

Common bad habits behind the wheel could be costly if caught (Picture: Getty Images)

With the Easter bank holiday around the corner,millions of people are expected to hit the road,which could see common driving mistakes being repeated.

Driving blunders keep catching out drivers again and again – and they could land motorists with a fine.

Many of them breach the Highway Code and could be dangerous in the busy getaway traffic.

Metro spoke with an expert with the best insight into the motorist mindset – a driving instructor.

Middle-lane hogging

Don’t get out of your car on the motorway like these drivers on the M25 in Westerham,even if the road is blocked (Picture: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)

Driving in the middle lane on a dual carriageway or motorway is so common that many might not give it a second thought.

However,doing so could land drivers with a £100 fine as it violates Rule 264 of the Highway Code.

The correct positioning is in the left-hand lane for continuous driving,while the right-hand lane is for overtaking only,driving instructor and teacher trainer Sanjib Bhattacharjee,from east London,reminded.

Driving in the middle can lead to undertaking,which can be ‘frustrating’ and ‘breaking the law,’ he warned.

He urged drivers heading out ahead of the Easter weekend to adhere to ‘defensive driving’ and to ‘take responsibility’ of their own behaviour.

Safe gaps between cars

A safe gap between cars on a motorway is generally two seconds,increasing to at least four in bad weather (Picture: Getty Images)

With the Easter weekend weather forecast to be a washout,leaving a sufficient gap is even more important,the driving expert said.

Tailgating is all too common on Britain’s roads,even in dry conditions.

It falls under careless driving and carries a £100 fine and three penalty points on your driving license.

Instead of just a two-second gap,Sanjib recommends drivers to remember ‘only a fool breaks a two-second rule’ to maintain a safe distance.

Bus lane usage

In London,driving on the bus lane during its hours of operation can result in a £160 fine,which can be reduced to £80 if paid within a fortnight.

Many bus lanes operate round the clock,but drivers should check if they can use some of them to help traffic flow (Picture: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto)

While most drivers will be looking out for signs prohibiting bus lane use,they should also be aware of when bus lanes can be used so ‘traffic can continue to flow,’ Sanjib said.

He warned that ‘even experienced drivers can take things for granted.’

Eating and smoking while driving

While eating behind the wheel is not illegal,it could result in careless driving and an on-the-spot fine of £100,the RAC said.

Sanjib said he has seen drivers ‘doing their makeup’ on a dual carriageway and a man driving ‘with both hands off the wheel’ clutching a cigarette in one hand and a coffee in another.

‘It is unbelievable. It was on a 20mph road,but accidents take place in all sorts of roads,’ he reminded.

Smoking itself is not illegal,but it could cause a distraction and be careless driving.

However,it is illegal to smoke in a car with passengers aged under 18. If prosecuted,it could result in a £200 court fine.

Turning when pedestrians wait at junction

This became a breach under the big Highway Code update three years ago and flouting it can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Drivers should give way to pedestrians ‘crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning,’ the Rule H2 says.

But,Sanjib named this as one of the most common mistakes he sees drivers commit,despite giving way being ‘the safest thing to do.’

Not checking mirrors properly

Circumstances on the road can change within seconds,so drivers should check their mirrors regularly.

If an accident happens because the driver failed to check the mirrors,they could receive an unlimited fine,a potential disqualification and up to nine penalty points.

Failing to check mirrors is one of the top reasons for driving test failures,it is understood.

Sanjib said people are ‘not looking for hazards in good time’ and ‘not checking their mirrors.’