Brits given four second rule to avoid Bonfire Night penalty

Drivers are being warned to do one thing on Bonfire Night to avoid a £5,000 fine.

Motorists are urged to take extra care when traveling on fireworks night to avoid hefty fines and serious accidents.

Although many Brits enjoy going out on Bonfire Night to watch the fireworks, the number of fireworks displays can create a much smokier atmosphere than usual.

To help drivers stay safe behind the wheel, Graham Conway, Managing Director Select Car Leasingadvised motorists to maintain a reasonable distance from the vehicle in front.

He said: “Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front as reduced visibility may affect your ability to accurately judge distances.

“One study found that reversing is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions.”

Under normal driving conditions, motorists must maintain a constant distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle they are following to allow sufficient time to react to sudden situations.

However, in rainy or foggy weather, drivers should increase this distance to four seconds to compensate for limited visibility.

Those who crash their car because they failed to react to a sudden situation on the road face significant fines, which can reach up to £5,000 if the road user is seriously injured.

Graham also advised drivers to ensure their headlights were in full working order, but should only turn on their fog lights when visibility was severely limited.

He said: “Only use fog lights when visibility drops below 100 meters (328 feet).

“If you are still having difficulty seeing, even with your fog lights on, consider pulling over and stopping until it is safe to drive.

“Also, if you see a “Fog” sign on the highway but the road is clear, you should still be prepared for fog or smoke ahead. Even when everything seems to be clearing up, you may suddenly find yourself in the thick of things.”