Cash point

Motorists risk thousands of pounds in fines and points on their licence for everyday actions they don’t realise come under driving laws.

Research from Select Car Leasing found more than seven in 10 drivers admitted to using their mobile while waiting at a drive-through with their engine still running.

They didn’t know this carries a £1,000 fine and six points.

Four out of 10 had no idea letting their pet roam free in a vehicle could cost £5,000 and nine points.

One in five has flashed their lights at another car to warn of a speed camera, and one in 10 has driven around with mud on their number plate. But the risk of a £1,000 penalty didn’t occur to any of them.

Splashing a pedestrian could also leave you £1,000 worse off and add three points to your licence.

Mark Tongue, director at Select Car Leasing, said: “Drivers are breaking lesser-known laws on a regular basis. Not recognising these laws could add up to thousands in fines and enough points to lose your licence.”

Royal Bank of Scotland has escaped an official sanction over claims it withdrew help for business customers to profit from their restructuring or insolvency.

The City watchdog said it could not act on shortcomings in RBS’s Global Restructuring Group support unit for troubled firms as it does not regulate commercial lending.

The Financial Conduct Authority had been investigating accusations the bank artificially closed down viable small businesses which were transferred into the support unit between 2007 and 2012.

Nicky Morgan, chair of the Treasury Select Committee, said: “It will be bewildering for those who got caught up in GRG’s actions.”