What is considered driving?

802 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Smurfn, Dec 27, 2004

Malin Dixon

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2004

I went shopping a couple of days ago, and parked the MINI on the road. The wife phoned and got me to buy one last item, so I gave the kids the keys to take the shopping to the car while I bought the last item.

When I got to the car, I found my 12 year old daughter (currently about 1 inch taller than the lady wife) in the driving seat, key in the ignition so that the radio worked. She hadn't started the engine.

It just occurred to me that this could have been an offense. It was on the public road, and obviously she is not licensed or insured. Now I realise that a year or two's driving ban wouldn't affect her too badly for the moment, but the older daughter will be driving soon and I don't want to be trying to get insurance for a 17 year old learner with a motoring offence.

Was I making an easy target for the local constabulary? I know you don't need to actually drive a car to be done for drunk driving.

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Pobsey

· #2 · Dec 25, 2004

If the engine isn't running then I think its a grey area, but if the engine is running YOU could be done for quitting, (3 points and £60) leaving the car running with somebody who is unable to drive the car (they have to be insured to drive the car for you not to fall foul of the law)

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geist

· #3 · Dec 26, 2004

You can get done if you sleep in the car after a night out, for drink driving, if the keys are in your possesion, even if they are not in the ignition. I have friends that used to do it, so that they did not drink and drive. Unfortunately common sense no longer prevails.

I know one guy who has done it recently the police knocked on his window, they were going to do him but could not find the keys in his possesion, so could not charge him.

He had hidden them nearby in a flower bed, so he would not get done

It is the same as you being done for talking on a mobile if the engine is running, even if you are parked up and out of gear

Yet again the law is an **** and common sense seems to be lacking

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obehave

· #4 · Dec 26, 2004

geist said:
You can get done if you sleep in the car after a night out, for drink driving, if the keys are in your possesion, even if they are not in the ignition. I have friends that used to do it, so that they did not drink and drive. Unfortunately common sense no longer prevails.

I know one guy who has done it recently the police knocked on his window, they were going to do him but could not find the keys in his possesion, so could not charge him. He had hidden them nearby in a flower bed, so he would not get done

It is the same as you being done for talking on a mobile if the engine is running, even if you are parked up and out of gear

Yet again the law is an **** and common sense seems to be lacking

Geez! That's harsh.

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Pobsey

· #5 · Dec 27, 2004

well well i hope this clears it all up from a non mini 2 girlfriend a reformed law know it all who used to have a blue light!!

Driving, in control of the steering and propulsion of the car.

which in essence means the car doesnt have to be turned on!!

so for example if the car is running down a hill handbrake off no engine running you are not technically driving until your bum hits the seat of the car if you were trying to run after if at get in to stop it.

another example. Car off handbrake off, you are driving if you are sitting in car as it can move and you can move wheel and stop car using brake.

if you have left the car running with no one who is capable of driving the car in your abscence that is quitting. beware a snotty copper may suggest that an adult who can drive who may be sitting in the passenger seat to move the car. however if not insured tell him to politely ticket the driver as he will ticket you for driving whilst not having the correct insurance to drive the car. it all depands if he is low on tickets.

hope this helps

the future Mrs Pobsey

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Smurfn

· #6 · Dec 27, 2004

Wow, those are some crazy rules

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