More than 80% drivers are unaware that playing loud music in cars is against the new Highway Code safety rules, while almost two thirds admitted to eating while driving, which is against the new Highway Code safety rules.

Nearly half of adults say they would feel at risk if they were a passenger and the driver was wearing high heels, although this is not outlawed in the Code.

The Highway Code was updated over three weeks ago, but research by Churchill Car Insurance shows that 37% of drivers are unaware that changes have been made.

Many more admit to breaking the rules, exposing themselves to a possible fine or prosecution.

The survey found that:

  • Playing loud music is now against the rules, yet over half (53%) of drivers have unwittingly flouted the rules by turning up the volume behind the wheel.

  • Three-in-ten drivers (30%) think that driving in flip flops or high heels is forbidden, yet this is not the case.

  • The top five ‘behind-the-wheel sins of the road’ that motorists admitted to are:
    Changing CDs/cassettes/radio stations whilst driving (75%)
    Eating food (65%)
    Drinking (soft drinks) (59%)
    Not wearing sunglasses when sunny (58%) (not in the Highway Code)
    Playing loud music (53%)

    Abi Clark, spokesperson for Churchill Car Insurance, said: “Drivers need to make sure that they know all the current rules of the Highway Code, otherwise they could find they are inadvertently breaking them.”

    Some motorists undertake activities when driving which make their passengers feel not just nervous, but that their safety is at risk.

    The respondents were asked to imagine they were a passenger in a vehicle; the driver actions most likely to put them on edge include:

    Ms Clark said: “Drivers should not live by the Highway Code alone, but also use their common sense when driving. Anything that distracts motorists from looking at the road, or prevents them from driving safely should be avoided at all costs so that accidents can be prevented.”