You’ve probably heard some common myths about driving that many people believe to be true. Some are ridiculous, while others have a bit of truth to them. We decided to investigate the truth behind these claims, and what we found may surprise you.

Here are 10 myths about driving that we uncovered.

Myth 1: It’s Illegal to Eat While Driving

No state in the US has a law specifically prohibiting eating while driving. However, many states have distracted driving laws that could be applied when distracted eating leads to unsafe driving. We advise you to take your meals before or after driving, to ensure that you are not endangering others on the road.

Myth 2: Put Your Hands at 10 and 2

Driving instructions in the past would teach people to drive with their hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. This advice was developed in the era of manual transmissions when drivers had to shift gears with their hands. However, most cars now feature automatic transmissions which eliminate the need for this hand positioning. Nowadays, it is perfectly acceptable to place your hands in the 9 and 3 positions, or wherever feels most comfortable. This will give you greater control over the wheel and allow you to navigate corners more easily.

Myth 3: Red Cars are Pulled Over Often

It’s become a pervasive urban legend — red cars get pulled over more often than any other color. In fact, this is not true. There is no correlation between car color and the likelihood of being pulled over. The only exception to this rule is if your vehicle has been flagged by law enforcement for any reason — then, the color won’t matter. So, it’s your driving habits that matter, not the color of your car.

Regardless of what color your car is, it’s important to obey all traffic laws and observe basic safety protocols. Always wear a seatbelt, put down any distractions such as cell phones, and always drive within the speed limit. This will help you avoid not only tickets but also accidents.

Myth 4: It’s Illegal to Drive Barefoot

Sure, various local regulations prohibit driving with flip-flops or other open-toed footwear, but driving barefoot is perfectly legal in all states. That being said, you should always wear proper footwear when driving — this will help keep your feet protected and provide a better grip on the pedals.

Myth 5: Seatbelts and Airbags Cause More Harm than Good

This is a dangerous myth. The safety features in cars — such as seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones — are designed to reduce the severity of an accident and save lives. Always wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers do too – it could be the difference between life and death in an accident.

Myth 6: Using Your Phone at a Gas Station Will Cause an Explosion

Static electricity can spark a fire, but it’s unlikely that your phone would be able to generate enough of it to cause an explosion at a gas station. Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) says that there’s no evidence that phones have ever caused a spark at a gas station, and that explosions can actually occur when vapors from fuel in the air come into contact with an ignition source. However, it’s advisable to avoid using your phone while filling up your tank or pumping gas.

Myth 7: You Must Warm Your Car Before Driving

Cars in the past may have needed to be warmed up for a few minutes before driving off, otherwise, you risked damaging the engine. However, thanks to modern technology, modern cars don’t need to be warmed up before starting. In fact, most drivers who live in cold climates can simply start their cars and drive off without any issues. So while you may warm up your engine to make it more comfortable inside the car, warming your car beforehand is not necessary.

Myth 8: You Should Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles

Automakers used to recommend oil changes every 3,000 miles, but advances in engine technology and oil formulas have made this unnecessary for many cars. In fact, most newer cars can go up to 5,000 or even 7,500 miles between oil changes depending on their make and model. The best way to know how often you should change your oil is to check your car’s manual.

Myth 9: You Should Always Use Premium Gas

Premium gasoline has a higher octane rating and can prevent engine knocking caused by lower-octane fuel. However, unless specified in your manual your vehicle doesn’t need to use premium gas. Most cars run the same even on regular unleaded fuel. And the higher octane rating does not improve your car’s performance, so there’s no need to waste money on premium gasoline if your vehicle doesn’t require it.

Myth 10: Using a Hands-free Device to Pick Calls is Safe

Your hands-free device may keep your hands on the wheel, but it can’t keep you focused on driving. Studies have shown that even when using a hands-free device to pick up calls, you are still distracted and more likely to get into an accident. The best way to stay safe is to avoid talking or texting while behind the wheel altogether.

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