More than half of British motorists believe it's acceptable to flout traffic rules – including parking on double yellow lines, exceeding speed limits, and driving through bus lanes – when faced with an emergency situation. A striking 86% of those surveyed admitted to feeling irritated when seeing others break road rules, but many consider it acceptable in an emergency.
The survey of 2,000 drivers revealed the most widely accepted justifications for breaching traffic laws included a passenger suffering a heart attack or stroke, or someone sustaining a serious injury. However, 14% felt a pet emergency would warrant bending the rules, while one in 20 respondents even considered needing the toilet a legitimate excuse.
Nearly one in five (17%) confessed to having broken a traffic law during what they deemed an emergency.
If stopped by police, almost a third (32%) would anticipate an officer providing an escort to their destination, whilst 14% believed they'd avoid consequences given the situation.
Adam Craddock from temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, which commissioned the research, said: "It is vital to remember that breaking road laws, like speeding or running red lights, can inadvertently create a second emergency by putting yourself and other road users at risk.
"The last thing anyone needs in a crisis is the legal and safety repercussions to make an already difficult situation much harder to manage."
Over one in 10 (12%) have admitted to using someone else's car in an emergency, yet only 41% checked if they were insured to do so. A significant 36% confessed they didn't know that driving without insurance, even in a crisis, could result in their vehicle being confiscated.
When asked about the potential consequences of driving uninsured, 27% said their biggest worry would be having to cover costs if they had an accident, while 19% feared getting points on their licence.
Adam Craddock added: "Driving without valid insurance, even in an emergency, remains a criminal offence.
"If caught driving uninsured, you could be subject to fines, points on your licence, and the vehicle could be seized and destroyed.
"Whether you are looking for cover for a day or just an hour to borrow a car at short notice - temporary car insurance is available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
"It offers comprehensive cover in minutes, ensuring you are legally protected and removing the risk of being uninsured during an already stressful time."
1. Park on double-yellow lines.
2. Exceed the speed limit.
3. Drive in a bus lane.
4. Honk to hurry other drivers.
5. Park in a restricted or illegal spot.
6. Park on zigzag markings.
7. Allow an uninsured person to drive your car.
8. Drive on the motorway's hard shoulder.
9. Drive in a cycle lane.
10. Drive with faulty lights or indicators.
11. Jump a red light.
12. Borrow a car without insurance (even with the owner's consent).
13. Drive with tyres below the legal tread depth.
14. Drive with unbelted passengers.
15. Drive without a valid MOT.
16. Borrow someone else's car, with or without their permission.
17. Ignore a pedestrian at a zebra crossing.
18. Fail to use your indicators.
19. Use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit.
20. Speed near a school.
