Your best Asks of 2023

David Ross, EditorTue, 02 Jan 2024

We get hundreds of questions a week from our readers covering everything from what car they should buy next, what's guaranteed to be a future classic and even whether their car is haunted. Yes that was a real question [1]. And 2023 was no exception with plenty of questions about electric cars, DVLA licence delays and consumer rights.

As always, the expert eam here at HonestJohn.co.uk is on hand to answer your motoring queries and to help where we can. So if you have an issue, get in touch through Ask HJ.[2] Here are the best questions we've been asked in 2023.

Ask HJ

Are motorway speed cameras always switched on?

Are smart motorway speed cameras always switched on?

We can't say for sure, but we'd treat them as if they are. I have certainly seen many instances of speeding fines outside of variable smart motorway conditions. Highways England advises to treat these cameras as if they are always on as they will default to the national speed limit when not in variable conditions.

We don't think there's a case for illegality here as it's no different from being caught speeding by a mobile camera van or radar gun.

Answered by Lawrence Allan

Why aren't dashcams fitted as standard to new cars?

Dashcams have been available for several years now in the accessories marketplace. With the increase in car tech levels, including reversing and 360 degree cameras fitted as standard, why aren't dashcams standard fit?

There are a few companies that offer dashcams as built-in features, the cheapest of which is some Citroen models (like the C3) which could be specified with it. Tesla models also use the in-built camera system as a dashcam, while MINI also sell you the 'Advanced Eye' camera system and BMW has its 'DriveRecorder'.

It's usually optional, and because of that drivers often find it cheaper to fit an aftermarket system.

Answered by Lawrence Allan

What do you think will be a classic in the near future?

Will a Mk1 SEAT Leon Cupra, MG ZR, Renault 19 or Abarth Grande Punto ever become a classic as I would like to buy one of these as I have previously owned them.

All have the potential to be classics (arguably, some of them already are). Buy whichever one you miss the most (and can find a good example of!) and don't worry too much about whether it counts as a classic car. For the sake of insurance purposes, many companies class classic cars as being more than 20 years old... that might be something to bear in mind as it'll unlock cheaper classic car insurance policies.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Are average speed cameras accurate?

I travel through both inner and outer London boroughs and several cameras are in 20mph zones.

However the other week I noticed a camera (the older style GATSO yellow one) with no speed markings on the road so have assumed it is decommissioned and another cameral marked as a 20mph speed camera at a set of traffic lights which doesn't go off if you drive through at a faster speed which means it is a traffic light camera and only activates when you go through it on a red light. Have set off two sets of cameras a while ago without receiving any notification. I think one possible answer is that once the local authorities have the money they will make a massive upgrade to all the existing cameras and replace them with the new generation of digital two-way models.

Until that time we are probably safe. Also in my local area we have sections of dual carriageway monitored by average speed cameras set at 40mph. Do you know if they can set them for lower speeds?

I have a feeling that this cannot be done accurately.

The situation regarding deactivated speed cameras is unhelpful for drivers with the potential to cause confusion. The majority of average speed cameras operate on a time and distance calculation, so in theory will be highly accurate. Rather than being adjusted for lower speeds, it is more a matter of the constabulary deciding at what speed they will decide to issue fines.

Answered by David Ross

Can you overtake cyclists on double white lines?

A short way from my home is a hill approximately 2 miles in length.

There are double white lines in the centre of the road. There are lots of cyclists on the road, mostly in groups and commonly at weekends. Given that I need to keep 2 metres away from cyclists, technically, I cannot overtake them because of the double white lines.

As one would expect, obeying the law, long queues grow. Some people do overtake cyclists and cross the double white lines. So, if the road ahead is clear and I were to be caught crossing the white lines by a policeman, would they book me or hopefully use some common sense and not bother.

Rule 129 of the Highway Code states the following: Double white lines where the line nearer to you is solid.

This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. The speed of the cyclists is the key point here, so if they are travelling at 10mph or less you would be allowed to overtake safely.

Answered by David Ross

Will the GBP40,000 premium car tax level ever increase?

It is almost impossible to buy an EV with a near 300 mile range for less than the magic GBP40k.

Do you think there are grounds for raising the limit to GBP45k? I don't believe the GBP40k band has ever changed.

EVs are currently exempt from the premium car tax. For non EVs there are grounds for raising the GBP40,000 limit for the premium rate tax given that prices will continue to rise, although given that this generates considerable revenue for the government we would not expect the limit to be raised any time soon.

Tax rates will change in 2025 and electric cars will no longer be exempt from the premium car tax, so it's possible the limit will increase.

Answered by David Ross

Will my daughter be charged for leaving the scene of an accident?

My daughter was driving home at 3am on Sunday morning in dark rainy conditions, she skidded, lost control and hit the kerb and a traffic light (which was damaged) She left the car in a safe place nearby and came home in a cab as she felt shaky and shocked.No one was injured, no other vehicles involved and the road wasn't obstructed. Her intention was to report to the police Station at a reasonable hr (she knew she had to report within 24 hrs) At 8am the police knocked on the door and she was read her rights and voluntarily explained what had happened. She had not been drinking/drugs, has a clean driving licence of 15 yrs fully insured (reported to insurers) The police said the brief statement will be passed to the traffic police and they will be in touch and that they couldn't say what will happen next .Could she be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving or other?

It is difficult to predict the outcome of this situation, as it depends on how the police interpret the sequence of events.

Although there were no other parties involved the fact that the traffic light was damaged meant she was obliged to report the incident to the police, but we think it is reasonable that she went home first rather than doing so immediately. It could be argued however that she could have called the police once she was home, and the police will be looking for evidence of excessive speed or a lack of due care and attention. Unfortunately there is little you can do at this point other than to wait for further contact from the traffic police.

Answered by David Ross

Is it illegal to use front fog lights when there is no fog?

Driving at night, I notice an increasing number of drivers clearly using their fog lights as an extra set of headlights when there is no fog anywhere to be seen - is this usage legal ?

Rule 236 of the Highway Code states 'You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights.

You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.' Potentially this could result in the issue of a fixed penalty notice if stopped by the police, but unfortunately this is a rare occurrence.

Answered by David Ross

My neighbour is deliberately obscuring their numberplate to avoid ULEZ - should I report this?

We have a resident in our road who has 'stuck' leaves over her number plate to avoid detection from the ULEZ cameras. Her son is a serving police officer so we are reluctant to email/phone our local station in case he is able to track who reported her. Any advice as to what to do?

Deliberately obscuring your numberplate is an offence usually punishable by a fixed penalty notice, and earlier this month a driver in Guildford was fine for this same offence.

If you were to report this to the police using email or giving your name or telephone number, then it would technically be possible for their son to track down this report if they were employed in the same constabulary, although there would also be a record of them doing so if they chose to. We would suggest either reporting to your local constabulary and witholding your number, or you can report the crime anonymously to Crimestoppers either online or by telephone: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Answered by David Ross

What is the correct way to reverse from a main road onto my driveway?

If l am reversing from a clear road into my driveway - a car speeds up while l am in the process of turning my vehicle into the driveway who has right of way at this point? I am half turned into a drive way and half on a two lane B road.

The driver does not wait and l am forced to realign my car and complete the manoeuvre without due caution. During a this manoeuvre oncoming vehicles often drive at speed to get past me. What is correct road procedure?

We're assuming from your description that the car is coming towards you and you need to swing the front of your car out into the opposite carriageway to complete the manoeuvre.

While it would of course be courteous for the other driver to slow down and allow you time and space to complete the manoeuvre, from a legal perspective it would be you at fault if a collision occurred, unless they were approaching at a speed above the legal limit that didn't allow either of you time to see the other.

Answered by Craig Cheetham

References

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