General Natter Room

[Courtenay]

I must admit I just sent this to my family in Oz with the comment "Only in Britain... "

Driver caught drinking mug of tea on motorway

(it's not far from where I live, either )

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

It's the first time that I have considered that drug-driving could refer to caffeine...

[Lucky Star]

Is it actually illegal to drink tea while driving? After all modern cars come with cup holders installed.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I suppose it would be if you had to contend with the saucer as well

[Boatbuilder]

Anything that interferes with your concentration on the driving and is a distraction is illegal, particularly if it involves using your hands for things other than to do with the vehicles controls. Of course, you could then debate if a conversation with somebody in the car (or on a hands-free phone) is a distraction, especially if that conversation became heated and got out of hand, but then proving that would be another matter.

[Wolfgang]

If I remember correctly, there's an episode with Sledge Hammer in which he causes a car accident, although he wasn't actually talking to the chauffeur.

[Boatbuilder]

Having had bowel cancer myself 17 years ago, I was really pleased to have just read this on BBC News:

Woman's bowel cancer disappears thanks to 'miracle' drug

[Anita Bensoussane]

That is good news.

[Fiona1986]

Is it actually illegal to drink tea while driving? After all modern cars come with cup holders installed.

Not that I know of! I think the issue here was he's taking both hands off the wheel and swapping the cup from hand to hand! Also the fact that it's an open mug meaning he's going to be paying attention to holding it level and not spilling it.

Very different from taking a gulp from a travel mug now and again.

2. Is it illegal to drink when driving?

Just like eating behind the wheel, taking a swig of water or coffee while you’re driving is not illegal, but it could carry the same careless driving penalty if you’re accused of being distracted.

In some situations, it can be more dangerous not to have a drink in the car with you. Scientists at Loughborough University found that driving while dehydrated can be just as dangerous as drink-driving.

Dehydration can cause a loss of focus and lead to drowsiness and slower reaction times.

If you’re heading off on a long journey, particularly in hot weather, keep dehydration at bay by carrying a bottle of water in your car.

[Moonraker]

Is it actually illegal to drink tea while driving? After all modern cars come with cup holders installed.

A friend of my wife's was stopped by a traffic car police officer - because she was eating an apple. He said she wasn't in full control of the car. She was booked for driving without due care and attention.

[Courtenay]

That reminds me — where I lived previously in Kent, we had a local private taxi driver whom everyone at my workplace used because she was cheaper than the proper taxi companies. But she was a bit eccentric (to say the least) and used to have her newspaper in the car and she would be filling in the crossword — yes, there in the driver's seat — while waiting at traffic lights. After witnessing her doing that, I declined to use her again.

[Moonraker]

In Australia, even kangaroos obey red lights!

Red Means Stop

[Hannah]

I've been browsing photos on my PC and I'd like to share some of them with you.

In Trakai near Vilnius (Lithuania) near the famous castle we also saw this funny sign advertising a café. After visiting the castle we went for a walk in the moor.


In the small German city of Mölln there is an interesting art installation .

[Boatbuilder]

In Trakai near Vilnius (Lithuania) near the famous castle we also saw this funny sign advertising a café.

I hope you didn't have to catch your own lunch, Hannah.

[Hannah]

Luckily not .
I'm afraid I wouldn't have been very successful...