The "Common Sense" Driving Habits That Are Actually Illegal

You know that feeling when you’re driving through Stockport, you’re stuck behind someone doing something mildly annoying, and you think, “Surely that’s not allowed”? Sometimes you’re right. Loads of stuff people do every day feels normal, even sensible, but it can still land you in trouble. And not just “a bit of a telling off” trouble either. We’re talking fines, points, or council tickets that show up in the post when you least need them.

At Dace Motor Company, we spend a lot of time chatting with drivers from Manchester, Stockport, and the roads in between. And the same surprises keep coming up. People aren’t trying to be reckless. They’re just doing the things they’ve seen other drivers do for years. The problem is, the rules don’t care whether you “meant well” or whether “everyone does it.” If it’s banned, it’s banned.

So let’s walk through the big ones. The ones that feel like common sense habits. The ones your mate might even encourage you to do. And the ones that can still be illegal, depending on what you do and where you do it. Think of this as a friendly heads-up before your next run down the A6, a loop of the M60, or a crawl through Deansgate when the traffic’s doing that classic Manchester thing.

1) “I’m stopped, so I can check my phone” 

This one catches people out all the time. You’re at a red light. You’re in a queue near the Pyramid roundabout. The car isn’t moving. So you think it’s fine to quickly check a message, tap the music, poke the map, or see who’s calling. Feels harmless, right? But the law is really clear about holding and using a phone (or anything like it) while driving. And “driving” doesn’t just mean when the wheels are rolling. If you’re on a road and you’re in charge of the car, that’s the risky bit.

In the UK, if you hold and use a phone or a device that can send and receive data while driving, you can get 6 points and a £200 fine. Newer drivers can even lose their licence because of how the rules work in the first couple of years after passing. And it’s not just calls. The government guidance covers holding and using a device for things like messaging and similar use, and it includes sat nav devices and tablets if you’re holding them and using them like that. If you need maps, set them up before you move off, and use a proper holder so you’re not clutching the thing like it’s a snack. 

And here’s the sneaky part: even if you’re not “breaking the phone rule” in the strict sense, you can still get done for being distracted and not properly in control. So, yes, even hands-free can still cause trouble if your driving goes messy because you’re fiddling around. You’ve probably seen it at the lights on the Mancunian Way. Someone’s head is down, the lights go green, and they just… don’t go. Then everyone’s beeping, and it turns into a whole thing.

2) “I’ll just stop in the yellow box for a second” (That’s the trap)

Yellow box junctions are the ultimate “it was only for a second” mistake. You roll in thinking your exit will clear, then the traffic in front stops, and now you’re sitting right in the criss-cross lines like you’ve claimed the place. In your head, it feels like you’ve done nothing dramatic. In reality, the rule is blunt: you must not enter a box junction unless your exit road or lane is clear. There’s a small exception if you’re turning right and you’re only held up by oncoming traffic (or vehicles waiting to turn right). But “I hoped the car ahead would move” isn’t an exception.

Around Greater Manchester, box junctions and cameras can be a painful combo. You might not even realise you’ve been caught until a letter lands on your doormat. People also get caught because they follow the car in front too closely into the box, like a little convoy, and the last person ends up stranded in the markings. That’s the one who gets the ticket. It feels unfair when you’re the last car, but the rule is about keeping the junction clear so the whole area doesn’t gridlock.

If you want a simple habit that saves you money, it’s this: before you enter, actually look at the space beyond the box, not just the car in front. If there isn’t a clear spot for your full car to fit, don’t go. Even if someone behind you is impatient. They’re not paying your fine.

3) “Bus lane? It’s Sunday, it’ll be fine” (Sometimes yes, sometimes absolutely not)

Bus lanes are one of those Manchester driving things that can make you feel like you need a law degree just to pop to the shops. You see the lane. You see it’s quiet. You think, “No buses, so why not?” But bus lanes work on signs, not vibes.

In Manchester, the council is clear that bus lane rules apply when the sign says they apply. Sometimes that’s certain hours. Sometimes it’s all day. And if there are no times shown, it means it runs 24 hours a day. That’s the bit that catches people on weekends, because you assume weekends are relaxed, then you get a penalty charge notice anyway.

And it’s not just the city centre either. You’ll see bus lanes around busy routes, and it can be easy to drift into one when you’re trying to get into the correct lane early, especially if the road markings are worn or you’re following the sat nav without thinking. The safe move is boring but solid: look for the sign right before the bus lane starts and read it properly, even if the car behind is glued to your bumper. If it says the lane is live right now, don’t enter it unless your vehicle is allowed. And if you’ve already drifted in by mistake, don’t panic-swerve out. Keep it safe, and come out when it’s safe. A ticket is annoying. A crash is worse.

4) “I’m keeping in the middle lane because it feels safer” (That can be careless driving)

This is a classic on the M60. And, to be honest, we’ve all been stuck behind it. Someone sits in the middle lane doing the same speed as the left lane, with loads of space on the left, and everyone ends up overtaking on the right like a slow-motion conga line. People do it because they think the left lane is for lorries, or they don’t want to keep switching lanes, or they believe the middle lane is the “default.” But the rule of the road is basically: keep left unless you’re overtaking.

Middle-lane hogging can be treated as careless driving, and police have had the power to give on-the-spot penalties for this kind of driving for years. The RAC explains that it can mean a £100 fine and 3 points.

What makes it sting is that it’s not just “annoying,” it can actually make the road more dangerous. People start weaving lanes. Tempers go up. And then you get the classic tailgater behind someone who’s already lane-hogging, and suddenly the whole motorway feels like a stress test.

If you’re not sure what to do, here’s the easy habit: treat the left lane like home base. Move out to overtake, move back in when you’ve passed. And if you’re thinking, “But I’m doing the speed limit,” that doesn’t change the lane rule. The lane rule is about flow and safety, not just speed.

5) “A quick flash of headlights means ‘you go’” (It doesn’t mean that, and it can go wrong fast)

This one is so normal that people forget it’s not what the rules say. You’re on a tight road in Heaton Moor. Someone wants to pull out. You flash your lights to be polite. They go. Everyone feels warm and friendly. Until one day, it goes wrong. Because flashing your headlights is only meant to let other road users know you’re there. It’s not meant to say “I’m giving way,” and you should never assume it means you’ve been invited to move.

That might sound picky, but think about how messy real roads are. You flash someone. They take it as “go on then.” But maybe you were actually warning them you’re still coming through. Or maybe the person behind you decides to overtake at the same time. Or a cyclist comes past on the left. In Manchester traffic, that’s not rare. That’s Tuesday.

So what should you do instead? If you want to be polite, slow down smoothly and leave a clear, obvious gap. Let the other driver make their own choice when they can see it’s safe. If you do flash, keep it strictly as “I’m here,” not as “you’re safe.” It’s a small change, but it stops misunderstandings, and misunderstandings are where collisions start.

6) “I’ll just beep them, they’re being silly” (Horn rules are tighter than people think)

The horn feels like the easiest tool in the car. A quick beep. A little nudge. But the rules are stricter than most people realise. You should only use the horn while your vehicle is moving and when you need to warn other road users of your presence. And there are extra limits in built-up areas at night. The Highway Code says you must not use your horn in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7.00am, unless another road user poses a danger. 

Now think about Manchester on a Friday night. Someone hesitates at a green light. You’re tempted to blast the horn like you’re auditioning for a marching band. But if it’s not about danger, you’re using it the wrong way. Same for leaning on the horn in stationary traffic because you’re fed up. And yes, it’s hard not to do when you’ve been stuck near Piccadilly for what feels like the length of a full football match.

A good habit is to treat the horn like a last-resort safety warning, not a “comment section.” If you’re using it to tell someone they annoyed you, that’s where you’re drifting into trouble. And even if you don’t get a ticket, it winds everyone up, and that’s when people start doing rash things. You don’t want to be the spark.

7) “I’m only stopping on zig-zags for two seconds” (Those lines are there for a reason)

Zig-zag lines near crossings and school entrances are one of the biggest “but I was only…” moments on UK roads. People stop for a quick drop-off. A quick pick-up. A “hop out and run in.” And it feels harmless because it’s short. The problem is, those zig-zags are there to keep sight lines clear. If you stop there, you block what drivers and pedestrians can see, and that’s how close calls happen.

The Highway Code rule on pedestrian crossing zig-zags is straight: you must not park on a crossing or in the area covered by the zig-zag lines. The police also give plain advice about school areas: don’t park on the yellow zig-zags, because it makes things riskier when kids are crossing and drivers’ views are blocked. 

If you’ve ever been near a school run in Stockport, you know how quickly it gets chaotic. Parents pulling in. Kids darting about. People doing awkward three-point turns. That’s exactly why those markings exist. It’s not about being strict for the sake of it. It’s about stopping a child from stepping out from behind your car and into the path of someone who couldn’t see them.

So if you need to stop, stop earlier, park up properly, and walk the extra minute. Yes, it’s a bit of effort. But it’s also the difference between “slightly late” and “massive regret.”

8) “It’s just a puddle, they’ll get over it” (Splashing pedestrians can be an offence)

Let’s talk rain. Because, come on, this is Manchester. Rain isn’t a special event here, it’s background music. And when it rains, puddles form, especially at the edges of roads. You might think splashing someone is just unlucky timing, like “whoops.” But if you drive through a puddle and soak a pedestrian (or a cyclist), you can be prosecuted for driving without reasonable consideration for other people. That sits under careless driving rules in the Road Traffic Act.

This is one of those that feels like a joke until it happens to you. Imagine you’re walking down the pavement near the Curry Mile, you’ve got your coat on, you’re trying to keep your trainers dry, and then a car blasts through a puddle and drenches you head to toe. It’s not just annoying. It’s proper miserable. And it can be dangerous too, because the driver might lose grip, or the splash might hide potholes or hazards.

The best habit here is simple: if there are people walking near standing water, slow down. Give it a wider berth if you can do it safely. If you can’t avoid it, crawl through so the water doesn’t spray. You’ll feel like you’re being overly careful, but you’ll also avoid being that person who ruins someone’s day and ends up facing consequences for it.

9) “My dog’s fine on the seat, he’s calm” (Unrestrained animals can be a problem)

This one is surprisingly serious, and loads of people don’t know about it. The Highway Code says animals like dogs should be suitably restrained so they can’t distract you while you’re driving, and so they don’t get injured (or injure you) if you stop suddenly. It even gives examples like a seat belt harness, carrier, cage, or guard.

Even if your dog is the chillest dog in Greater Manchester, it only takes one sudden noise, one squirrel, one strange wobble of the car, and suddenly you’ve got movement right by the steering wheel. Or worse, the dog becomes a projectile in a crash. That’s a grim way to put it, but it’s real.

The “common sense” habit is to let the dog sit where it likes because it feels kind. But the safer habit is to restrain them properly every single time, even for short trips. Especially for short trips, if we’re being honest, because that’s when people get lazy.

And just to be clear, this isn’t about being anti-dog. We love dogs. It’s about making sure your car is under control and everyone inside it stays safe if something sudden happens, like a kid running out, a van door opening, or someone braking hard in front of you on the A56.

10) “Crack a window and smoke, it’s fine” (Not if there’s someone under 18)

This one is a straight-up legal rule that still surprises people. In England and Wales, it’s illegal to smoke in a private vehicle with anyone under 18 present. The change came in on 1 October 2015. Both the driver and the person smoking can be fined.

And no, cracking a window doesn’t make it “fine.” The idea is protecting kids and young people from second-hand smoke in a small enclosed space. If there’s a child in the car, don’t smoke. That’s the rule.

Some people get caught out because they’re not thinking of it as “smoking with a child,” they’re thinking, “I’m in my own car, it’s my choice.” But the law is about the passenger’s health, not the driver’s preference. And it’s one of those rules that’s easy to follow once you know it exists.

If you’ve got kids in the back and you’re heading out to Trafford Centre, just leave it until you’re parked and away from them. Your car will smell better too, which matters more than people admit when it comes to day-to-day comfort and resale value.