Driving During Lockdown – What Do the New Rules Mean for You?

New Regulations

As of Wednesday the 13th of May, new measures were put in place to allow people to use their vehicles to visit open outdoor spaces across the country, irrespective of distance. Social distancing rules still stand, and we are still not permitted to visit other households, even outside the home. We can now however, meet up with one other person from another household in a public outdoor space, as long as a distance of two metres is kept between each person. This does not include private gardens.

How Our Lives Have Changed – and How we’ve Learned to Adapt

Even as lockdown restrictions ease, we still find ourselves a far cry away from normal life as we know it however, this is not necessarily a bad thing. During the lockdown, we have seen communities come together to support those who need it most, and there is even some evidence to suggest we are now communicating more with our loved ones, just now in a non-traditional sense. Small acts of kindness are being noticed all across the globe, and there’s a real sense of togetherness in the air. We have also seen great examples of ingenuity and strength from people of all ages, from the Boy Scout who used his 3D printer to help out healthcare workers, to the stories of triumph where we have seen people beat the novel coronavirus despite all odds.

Going for a Drive

Previously, when lockdown measures first came into place, driving was only reserved for essential journeys such as shopping for food, picking up medicine or dropping off supplies for elder and vulnerable relatives. Now you will not be fined for going for a drive, in fact you can drive anywhere in England to enjoy ‘unlimited’ amounts of outdoor exercise.

Staying Safe

While these new and slightly more relaxed changes to the rules mean we can enjoy more freedom, it is important that we continue to ‘stay aware’. This means continuing to stick to social distancing guidelines whenever possible, washing hands frequently and avoiding meetings and gatherings with friends and family from other households. If you are eager to get outside but have doubts or concerns over safety, please read our tips below.

Check Before You Drive

Even outdoor spaces can become busy, which sometimes makes it difficult to stick to social distancing guidelines and keep our distance from others. If you’re planning to visit a park, a nature reserve or any sort of public outdoor space, whether alone or with the family, be sure to do your research and find out when the least amount of people are likely to visit.

Be Prepared

During lockdown, your vehicle may have become a little neglected. However, before planning any longer journey it is vital that you check your tyres (including spare tyre), oil, windscreen washer fluid, lights and emergency equipment. Don’t forget, a vehicle break down during this time puts everyone at risk, so reduce your chances of this happening by staying prepared. Do not drive If you or anyone in your household has covid-19 symptoms, even if these symptoms are mild, and you are not planning to drive far.

Stay Sensible

The fear and panic surrounding the coronavirus pandemic can cause people to feel like they do not want to leave their homes at all. However, staying healthy by looking after our minds and bodies is now more important than ever. So don’t let fear stop you from going for a drive and enjoying the countryside. Stay sensible by packing hand sanitizer and protective face masks if you will be visiting an enclosed space at any point, such as a petrol station or shop, keep your distance from others and enjoy yourself!