Listening to music while driving can be quite a therapeutic experience, whether it’s a nice serene drive through rolling country roads whilst listening to Matt Monro’s “On Days Like These” or blasting out Metallica to get some frustration out, it all helps in its own way. But what if your car’s stereo system doesn’t work, or you can’t connect your phone to it, meaning you have to accept whatever drivel Radio 1 wants to pump out these days? Using your headphones may seem like the obvious decision, but is it safe or even legal? Let Scrap Car Comparison guide you through it all.
But first, if your stereo is broken and unfixable due to complicated repairs being needed or simply the cost of the repairs full stop, why not scrap the car and get the problem out of your hair? By using Scrap Car Comparison you’re guaranteed to get the very best price for your old car, while being safe in the knowledge it’s going to be disposed of and recycled in line with all government regulations, as we only work with certified Authorised Treatment Facilities. Pick up the phone today and find out just how much your tired old car could be worth in as little as 60 seconds.
Is It Illegal to Wear Headphones while driving?
By the letter of the law, there is nothing in writing that says you cannot drive while wearing headphones. However – and here’s the catch that you’ll often find with these types of questions – you could be pulled over by the police and be slapped with a penalty for driving without due care and attention, much in the same way you could get caught out if you’re driving barefoot or in flip-flops.
Why is it dangerous to drive with headphones in?
Driving whilst listening to your favourite tunes can be risky even if you’re using the car’s own speaker system – all it takes is one split second of distraction to make you miss brake lights in front of you, or not see something enter the road ahead of you (say, an animal or a child). If you’re listening to the music through headphones, then you’re going to be even less aware of the road around you, as you won’t be able to hear any other road noises, such as sirens from emergency services.
What happens if I’m involved in an accident wearing headphones?
If you’re wearing your headphones and end up being involved in an accident, there’s a strong chance that the blame is going to land squarely in your lap. Why? Well, the evidence dictates that you were driving with heavy distraction, and therefore it would make a lot of sense that you were likely to be at fault in the incident. If the accident is severe enough, it could be taken to court, and if you are indeed deemed to be at fault then you could find yourself with a fine and several points on your licence.
What are the penalties for driving with headphones on?
As already covered, you won’t get a penalty specifically for wearing headphones, but by wearing them you could be landed with a careless driving penalty, which is an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three points on your licence. If you’ve been deemed to have caused an accident due to your headphones being a distraction, however, you could be fined up to £5,000 and given nine penalty points.
That’s just the UK, though. In France, a law has been passed specifically banning headphones – or ‘a device in the ear that can emit sound’ to give it its watertight legal wording – which will result in a €150 fine and three points on your licence.
If you’ve been driving with your headphones in because the electrics in your current car are knackered to the point that your radio doesn’t work then why not scrap your car with Scrap Car Comparison, guaranteeing you the very best price and giving you more money to put towards a newer car with a working stereo system. Perhaps you’ve lost your licence due to the points accrued from a headphone related penalty tipping you over the edge? Whatever the reason, by using our industry leading service, you’re guaranteeing a quick and simple process, and with specialists in all four corners of the country, we’ll even come and collect your car absolutely free of charge. All it takes to find out just how much is to pick up the phone to one of our friendly team members and provide them with your postcode and registration number.
