Avoid breaking these little known driving rules as you head to Glastonbury Festival

As people all across the country - and world - begin their pilgrimage to Glastonbury Festival[1] this week, there are a few rules of the road[2] you should remember. The festival will be opening its doors on Wednesday (June 25) morning, but many people will be driving down ahead of time to grab a spot in the queue ready for the opening. Temporary car insurance company Cuvva recently shared a post on TikTok[3] highlighting some little known driving[4] rules to remember when you're making the trips.

Breaking some of these rules of the road could see you disqualified from driving, with a prison sentence, or a several thousand pound fine. Firstly, Cuvva pointed to Highway Code rule 98[5] , which looks at vehicle towing and loading. When you're packing up your hiking backpack, tents, food, alcohol, camping chairs, and all the rest, you must not overload your car.

Rule 98 explains the weight of your vehicle or the campervan you're towing should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. So now's the time to double check if you really need everything in your car. It's always best to be safe when driving back from the festival, but don't sleep in your car if you've had a drink. Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988[6] explains that a person driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit would be breaking the law.

The UK government detailed: "If a person-- (a) drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, or (b) is in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit he is guilty of an offence." The penalties[7] for breaking S5 of the Traffic Act 1988 will result in an obligatory period of disqualification for a minimum period of 12 months.

The court is also entitled to impose a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of GBP5,000. Lastly, Highway Code Rule 91[8] urges drivers to make sure they're fit to drive, as driving whilst tired greatly increases the risk of a collision. The Highway Code advised following these steps to minimise the risk:

• Make sure you are fit to drive.

  Do not begin a journey if you are tired. Get sufficient sleep before embarking on a long journey

• Avoid undertaking long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum
• Plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended
• If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place.

  Do not stop in an emergency area or on a hard shoulder of a motorway

For anyone planning to drive to the festival this week, National Highways has been calling for drivers to have regular breaks on long journeys. To ensure you have the safest and smoothest drive possible, it shared helpful reminders in its TRIP checklist. These points include:

• Top-up.

  Fuel, oil and screen wash.

• Rest. Take a rest break every two hours.
• Inspect. Check tyre pressure and tread.
• Prepare.

  Have a plan for all weather conditions.

If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here[9]

References

1. ^ Glastonbury Festival (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ rules of the road (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Cuvva recently shared a post on TikTok (www.tiktok.com)
4. ^ driving (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^ Highway Code rule 98 (www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk)
6. ^ Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (www.legislation.gov.uk)
7. ^ penalties (www.roadtrafficact1988section51a.co.uk)
8. ^ Highway Code Rule 91 (www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk)
9. ^ If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here (www.mirror.co.uk)