Road Travel During The Coronavirus Lockdown

As we all know, the coronavirus outbreak has drastically altered almost every aspect of our daily lives – and that includes driving.

Nobody should be making non-essential journeys in their vehicles at this critical time. And, those who repeatedly flout the rules on social distancing could be looking at fines of up to £960 under new Home Office powers.

The tougher measures have been introduced in part to stop people driving away from their homes to take exercise in popular beauty spots, potentially spreading COVID-19.

To clamp down on this, police are now carrying out road checks and asking  whether a trip is essential.  If  it isn’t, they can tell people to go home and, under the new distancing laws, can issue those who don’t comply with a £60 fixed penalty notice, which can be halved to £30 if payment is made within 14 days. Police in West Cornwall pulled over more than 150 vehicles in one day to ask motorists the reason for their journey, and forces in other parts of the country are taking similar action.

The government has stressed that it won’t rule out stepping up safeguarding measures if it deems them necessary.

Road safety charity Brake is also urging  motorists not to make non-essential trips. It wants them to stay off “risky” rural roads if possible, to minimise the chance of road accidents and reduce the potential burden on the NHS. It is urging those that do have to travel to stay well within the speed limit and be aware of unexpected hazards and other road users at all times. Rural roads are the most dangerous in Britain, with more than half (58%) of all road fatalities occurring on them.

Under the current lockdown, you are allowed to leave your house if you have to travel to your workplace and can’t work from home. Going out to get basic necessities such as food, is also permitted, but shopping  trips should be kept to a minimum, says the government.

Other exceptions include seeking medical assistance and medical supplies, or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person.

Although you are allowed to exercise once a day, this should be done locally to where you live and either on your own, or with people in your household. Meeting up with friends and family members who live elsewhere, and just “going out for a drive” are currently off limits.

These are stressful and worrying times for everyone, so make allowances for other motorists if you do have to drive to the shops, or when you’re commuting to and from work.  Safety should always be a priority,  so try not to get frustrated or cross with other road users if they are hesitant or make a mistake.  The driver you’re getting impatient with might be a medic who’s just finished a gruelling hospital shift.

Petrol stations are remaining open during the lockdown but follow the usual COVID-19 safety guidance when using them. Concerns circulating on social media that using petrol pumps was causing coronavirus to “spread rapidly” have been dispelled by Public Health England.

It has said that touching petrol pumps presents no more of a risk of spreading the virus than coming into contact with any other surface, although it does recommend motorists wear gloves and wash their hands after filling up.