As the nights get darker and the weather turns, most of us are thinking about keeping warm – not about driving fines. But motoring expert Thom Groot, CEO and Co-Founder of The Electric Car Scheme, says autumn is the season when drivers are most likely to slip up without realising.
With shorter days, wet roads and foggy mornings, small mistakes behind the wheel can quickly add up – and in some cases cost thousands of pounds.
“Autumn can catch drivers off guard,” Groot explains. “Even little things like using fog lights at the wrong time or not clearing your windscreen properly can leave you with a hefty fine.”
So, what should you look out for? Here are the most common autumn driving mistakes and how to avoid them.
Using fog lights incorrectly – £50 fine
Fog lights aren’t mood lighting for a misty morning drive. They’re there for one reason only – to help you see when the weather is really closing in. Legally, you’re only supposed to use them when visibility drops below 100 metres (about the length of a football pitch). Anything less than that – such as light rain or a bit of haze – and they should stay firmly off.
The problem with overusing them is that fog lights are so bright they can dazzle and distract other drivers. If you’re caught using them unnecessarily, you could face a £50 fine on the spot. “It’s worth familiarising yourself with your dashboard symbols and switching them off the moment conditions improve,” says Groot. “It’s such an easy mistake to avoid.”
Splashing pedestrians – up to £5,000 fine
“Driving through puddles might seem harmless or even fun, but deliberately splashing a pedestrian can land you with a significant fine,” Groot warns.
This offence falls under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which makes it an offence to drive ‘without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road’ – and the penalties can be surprisingly harsh.
The fine can reach up to £5,000 in serious cases and motorists can receive between 3-9 penalty points on their licence.
“If a driver soaks someone standing at a bus stop or walking down the pavement, it can be treated as careless or inconsiderate driving,” explains Groot. Depending on the severity, fines can stretch to £5,000, along with penalty points that stick to your licence. “It’s another reason to ease off the accelerator when approaching large puddles. It’s kinder to pedestrians and could save you a lot of hassle.”
Driving with leaves or frost covering your car – £1,000 fine
There’s nothing cosier than a golden autumn morning, but those fallen leaves don’t stay pretty for long. Left to pile up on your car, they can block your mirrors, windows, lights, or even your number plate – all of which are illegal to drive with obscured.
Throw in the first frosts of the season, and it becomes even more tempting to just clear a small patch on the windscreen before heading off.
That shortcut could be costly. Failing to fully clear your view, mirrors or plates can lead to fines of up to £1,000. “It’s always worth taking a few extra minutes before you set off to clear away leaves and scrape off frost properly,” says Groot. “It’s not glamorous, but it avoids fines and makes the roads safer for everyone.”
Driving too fast for wet roads – up to £5,000 fine
Wet autumn roads can be a real hazard. Once the rain mixes with fallen leaves, the surface gets slick and stopping distances shoot up. The trouble is, a lot of drivers still drive as if it’s a bright summer day – tailgating, braking hard, and not giving themselves enough room.
“Not adjusting your driving in those conditions is asking for trouble,” says Groot. “If you end up in an accident and it’s clear you didn’t slow down or leave space, you could be hit with careless driving charges.”
That can mean fines of up to £5,000, nine penalty points, and even losing your licence. His advice is simple: “Ease off the accelerator, leave more space and keep your driving smooth. Those small changes make a big difference.”
Worn or underinflated tyres – up to £10,000 fine
Colder weather means tyre pressure drops naturally – and that can be dangerous when combined with wet autumn roads.
Underinflated or worn tyres drastically reduce grip, making it harder to brake, steer, or stop in an emergency. What many drivers don’t realise is how steep the penalties are if their tyres aren’t roadworthy.
“You can be fined £2,500 per defective tyre and get three penalty points for each one,” says Groot. “That means if all four tyres are illegal, you’re looking at £10,000 in fines and 12 points – enough for an instant ban.”
His advice is simple: check your tyres weekly, top up pressures regularly and keep tread depth above the 1.6mm legal minimum. “It’s not exciting, but it’s the single biggest thing you can do to stay safe in autumn.”
Forgetting your headlights – £50 fine
With daylight hours shrinking and visibility often hampered by rain and fog, headlights become more important than ever in autumn. Yet many drivers forget to switch them on during gloomy daytime conditions, making themselves harder to see.
Not only is it risky, but forgetting your headlights also breaks the Highway Code and can land you with a £50 fine.
“A simple way to remember it is: if your wipers are going, your headlights should be too,” says Groot. “That way other drivers can see you more easily, which helps cut down the risk of accidents. And just to be clear – fog lights are for proper fog, not a bit of drizzle.”
Leaving your car idling while defrosting – £80 fine
Ever turned the engine on to warm up the car while you nip back inside to do something else? If so, you’re lucky you didn’t get caught – because technically, that’s an offence and it could cost you £80.
Beyond the legal side, there’s also the fact that it wastes fuel and makes your vehicle an easy target for opportunistic thieves. “Plenty of cars are stolen every year because people leave them idling and unattended,” says Groot. “It only takes a few seconds for someone to hop in and disappear with it.”
His advice? Stick to the basics: grab an ice scraper and stay with your car while it warms up – you’ll save yourself a lot of risk.
