{"id":104388,"date":"2025-02-18T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=104388"},"modified":"2025-02-18T10:11:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T10:11:50","slug":"drivers-risk-hefty-fines-everyday-mistake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/drivers-risk-hefty-fines-everyday-mistake\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands of Drivers at Risk of Hefty Fines for This Everyday Mistake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thousands of UK drivers may be unknowingly putting themselves at risk of fines and penalty points<\/strong> due to a habit many don\u2019t realise is an offence<\/strong>. A recent survey found that 1 in 10 drivers do not rely on their speedometer to judge their speed<\/strong>, instead using other methods such as SatNav readings, instinct, or keeping pace with surrounding traffic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While 86% of drivers<\/strong> surveyed said they check their dashboard speedometer<\/strong> to ensure they are staying within legal speed limits<\/strong>, 14% admitted they primarily use alternative methods<\/strong>. Among these, 8% rely on SatNavs or phone apps<\/strong>, while the remaining 6% use either their own judgement or the speed of other road users<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Could Result in Fines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using anything other than the car\u2019s built-in speedometer<\/strong> can lead to serious consequences<\/strong>. SatNavs and mobile apps, while useful for navigation, rely on GPS signals to estimate speed, meaning they can sometimes provide inaccurate readings. This margin of error could result in drivers unknowingly exceeding the speed limit<\/strong> and receiving fines or points on their licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Trimbee<\/strong>, CEO of private plate supplier Regtransfers, warned: \u201cSatNavs rely on GPS readings to calculate speed, and while they\u2019re often accurate, there\u2019s always a chance the reading could be wrong, since accuracy is determined by the quality of the satellite signal being received.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also highlighted the dangers of using instinct or the speed of other drivers<\/strong> as a guide: \u201c30mph can feel like a crawl after being on the motorway, and it can be all too easy to misjudge your speed. As for using other road users to judge your speed, this one\u2019s simple\u2014if they\u2019re over the speed limit, you will be too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legal Requirement for Speed Awareness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UK law requires that a vehicle\u2019s speedometer must be accurate<\/strong> and always display a speed equal to or slightly higher than the actual speed. By law, a speedometer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n