Motorists could face £200 fine for common mistake at McDonald’s drive thru after new law introduced

Motorists could face £200 fine for common mistake at McDonald’s drive thru after new law introduced
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 04/07/2022

- 08:00

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:53

Drivers could also face six penalty points on their license for the offence

Motorists could face a £200 fine and penalty points on their license for a common mistake made when travelling through a McDonald’s drive thru.

Under new laws brought in earlier this year, drivers using their mobile phone in stationary traffic could be eligible for a fine, as well as six points on their license.


The new Highway Code rule states that you may only use your mobile device in such circumstances during a “genuine emergency”.

Those who are caught on their phone in a non-emergency situation at traffic lights, in motorway queues and even at a drive thru could face a fine.

File photo dated 20/05/20 or cars queue at the McDonald's drive-thru in Hounslow when three of the fast food restaurants in London reopened as drive-thrus after the introduction of measures to bring the country out of lockdown.Police are in contact with the Cabinet Office over claims Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minister's principal private secretary, organised a %22bring your own booze%22 party in the garden behind No 10 during England's first lockdown on May 20, 2020. Issue date: Tuesday January 11, 2022.
Motorists are being warned not to use their phone when going through a McDonald's drive thru
Yui Mok

McDonald's urges people not to use their phones when %22your engine is running%22
McDonald's urges people not to use their phones when "your engine is running"
Anthony Devlin

Rule 149 of the Highway Code states: "You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times.

“You must not use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop.”

Signs urging people not to use their phones around drive thrus are displayed across McDonald’s stories across the country.

Such signage reads: "Do not use the McDonald's app while your engine is running.”

While motorists could also be landed with a £1,000 for making a commonly used gesture while driving.

Drivers across the country traditionally thank others on the road by giving them a wave or a thumbs up.

But drivers in the UK who use hand gestures to show their gratitude could find themselves in trouble.

The Highway Code urges drivers to keep both hands on the wheel “where possible”.

Failure to do so could land drivers with a £1,000 fine, a discretionary disqualification and three penalty points on their license.

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