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Question

Difficulty: MediumVehicle Security and Anti-Theft

Under the Highway Code and UK law, a driver is permitted to leave their vehicle unattended on a public road with the engine running, provided the doors are locked with a spare key while the windscreen demists.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is false because Highway Code Rule 123 requires you to turn off the engine and apply the parking brake whenever leaving a vehicle unattended on a public road. Leaving the engine idling unattended on a public highway—even with the doors locked while demisting—is illegal and leaves the vehicle vulnerable to theft.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legal and safety requirements regarding leaving a vehicle unattended on a public road.
Highway Code Rule 123 and UK road traffic regulations state that you must never leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running on a public road.
Leaving an engine running unattended creates an immediate target for opportunistic vehicle theft, invalidates many insurance policies, causes unnecessary exhaust emissions, and creates a safety hazard.
2
Determine whether locking the doors or demisting the windscreen provides a legal exemption.
Locking the vehicle with a spare key or demisting glass does not provide a legal exemption.
The prohibition on leaving a running engine unattended applies strictly regardless of whether the doors are locked.

Key Concept

Unattended vehicle security and stationary idling regulations
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Vehicle Security and Anti-Theft

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