Is It Legal To Put On Makeup While Driving

Applying Makeup While Driving

The dangers of applying make-up at the wheel – Ruth Peters, Specialist Motoring Solicitor, considers striking a balance between beauty and rubber.

Picture the scene. Information technology'due south been a rushed morning. You've finally managed to become out of the firm and on your way to work dressed ready for your breakfast coming together. You're in your ability suit with perfectly styled hair. But it'due south been that busy you but haven't had time to use your brand-up and your crucial coming together starts at eight am. But yous're bound to be stuck in traffic for at least office of the journeying so you tin merely put your brand-up on in the automobile can't you lot? We've all seen female motorists applying their lippy whilst stuck at traffic lights and plenty seem to apply the opportunity to apply a couple of layers of mascara.

That would certainly appear to exist the view of many female motorists. In a study conducted in 2013 almost half of women admitted applying make-up backside the wheel . 43 % of women admitted to so doing fifty-fifty though they knew they shouldn't although just 14 % of those surveyed believed it affected their driving. Lip gloss, mascara and lipstick are the products virtually commonly applied past motorists.

The Motoring Law on Applying Makeup While Driving:

'Driving Without Due Intendance and Attention' | Motor Offence

Applying make-up at the bicycle could lead to a prosecution for driving without due intendance and attention sometimes more commonly referred to every bit 'careless driving'. To prove such an offence the prosecution demand to evidence that your driving has fallen below the standard expected of a reasonable, prudent and competent driver in all the circumstances of the case. The penalization for such an offence, if convicted, is either betwixt 3 and ix penalization points to be endorsed on your driving licence or in some cases a discretionary disqualification. There would also exist a financial punishment of upwardly to £2500 together with court and prosecution costs. Furthermore the offence would need to be reported to your insurance company and undoubtedly would lead to an increase in insurance premiums.

Dangerous Driving | Motoring Offence

If the manner of your driving falls far below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver; and it would be obvious to a competent and conscientious driver that driving in that mode would be unsafe, mayhap as a upshot of a collision occurring, a prosecution for dangerous driving could follow. In such circumstances if a witness had observed y'all applying brand-up at the bicycle this would certainly be seen every bit an aggravating factor for sentence and the penalties for dangerous driving are far more severe. A mandatory disqualification from driving of at to the lowest degree 12 months would follow conviction and in some cases the offence tin can attract a custodial judgement.

The Royal Lodge for the Prevention of Accidents (@RoadSafety)

It is clear that applying make-upward at the wheel clearly has the potential to cause accidents. Insurers estimate that up to 450,000 accidents per annum occur are as a effect of motorists being distracted whilst applying make-up. A spokesperson for The Purple Society for the Prevention of Accidents re-iterated the concerns of many motoring experts past saying:

"Driving requires concentration and even a momentary lapse could turn a near-miss into a serious or even fatal accident. Common sense says use make-up before or later driving."

In summary, applying make-up at the wheel is just not worth it. Apart from the potential for accidents and the legal consequences, it is also probably not the all-time surround to apply make-upwards. Poor lighting within a vehicle and a relatively small mirror could lead to some major make-up errors and yous could arrive at your meeting looking like your make-up has been applied by a small child, probably non the best expect to go for! We would advise you always wait till yous arrive at your destination before applying cosmetics or you could always try the 'au naturale' look!

Demand help from a specialist Road Traffic Law Solicitor?

Ruth Peters is a specialist motoring solicitor at Olliers Motor Police force. If yous have been prosecuted for an offence of driving without due care and attention or dangerous driving requite the squad at Olliers Motor Law a phone call on 0808 168 0017 and they tin can advise you on the options bachelor.