Bonnet Opening When Driving - Legal Question.

[ADJimbo]

If a bonnet opens when the vehicle is in motion - Is there something in law which would make this an offence - if so, what would it be?

[eybic]

No offence I don't think but it would indicate a poorly maintained catch which should be checked as part of the MOT.

[airsafari87]

Making the assumption that the bonnet mechanism was in full working order and the bonnet only opened due to the driver not closing it properly.

I'd say that would fall under driving without due care and attention would it not?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Unless they are driving a clio.

[eybic]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Unless they are driving a clio.

Which is what my catch maintenance comment referred to.

[DanL]

Well, if you carry on driving rather than stopping, you'd have to assume it's careless / dangerous driving.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Clio catches could pass an mot no bother than fail a few weeks later. How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

[LordHaveMurci]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Unless they are driving a clio.

Keep meaning to maintain mine!

[eybic]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Clio catches could pass an mot no bother than fail a few weeks later. How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

If the bonnet is closed, it will stay closed.

The secondary catch seizes in the open position if not greased/ lubricated, it doesn't put itself in the open position, this is done by opening it so providing the catch is lubricated and the bonnet is tugged when closed to confirm it's locked, it wont just fly open.

[TooMany2cvs]

OldGermanHeaps said:

How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

Given that they should be lifting the bonnet to check fluid levels every week or two, then I'd quite like to think that they'd notice the safety catch was seizing solid, and lubricate the damn thing.

[7db]

Construction & Use -- dangerous condition?

[MoggieMinor]

eybic said:

OldGermanHeaps said:

Clio catches could pass an mot no bother than fail a few weeks later. How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

If the bonnet is closed, it will stay closed.

The secondary catch seizes in the open position if not greased/ lubricated, it doesn't put itself in the open position, this is done by opening it so providing the catch is lubricated and the bonnet is tugged when closed to confirm it's locked, it wont just fly open.

Rover P6s had a habit of doing the same. That catch needed regular lubrication...

[Duke147]

So THAT'S why all the boy-racers have those locking pins on their bonnets. I thought it was just 'cuz itz sick, brah!'

[ellroy]

I tried this in a beetle once.

Got slapped.

[RYH64E]

TooMany2cvs said:

OldGermanHeaps said:

How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

Given that they should be lifting the bonnet to check fluid levels every week or two, then I'd quite like to think that they'd notice the safety catch was seizing solid, and lubricate the damn thing.

I opened the bonnet on my car last weekend to top up the washer fluid, I needed to get the handbook out to find the bonnet release. The car will be two years old next month and that's the first time I've had the bonnet up, if the washer fluid had lasted another month then Mercedes would have done it at the annual service and I wouldn't have had to bother.

[Bristol spark]

I had this issue a few years ago with a kitcar.

I left home, pulled onto the main road and accelerated "briskly"

Only to see this big red item fly over the top of me, looked down and my bloody bonnet was gone.....


It actually managed to fly over me and the car behind (who was equilly flumuxed, at this big red flying object) before smasking into the road behind.


User error, id forgotten to attach the bonnet clips!. Thankfully it didnt land on snother car or person or i may have been in trouble....

[SVTRick]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Clio catches could pass an mot no bother than fail a few weeks later. How often should the average driver inspect their bonnet catch to not be negligent?

How often does your average driver check anything these days let alone look under the hood or
other basics including headlights
But that's another topic .....

[227bhp]

Bristol spark said:

I had this issue a few years ago with a kitcar.

I left home, pulled onto the main road and accelerated "briskly"

Only to see this big red item fly over the top of me, looked down and my bloody bonnet was gone.....


It actually managed to fly over me and the car behind (who was equilly flumuxed, at this big red flying object) before smasking into the road behind.


User error, id forgotten to attach the bonnet clips!. Thankfully it didnt land on snother car or person or i may have been in trouble....

Lol, I did exactly the same thing many years ago

I wasn't laughing then though! Very embarrassing pulling over to run back down the road and pick my ruined bonnet up off the local bypass....

[fatjon]

more interesting question: is this an accident from an insurance point of view or a mechanical failure?

[Trax]

fatjon said:

more interesting question: is this an accident from an insurance point of view or a mechanical failure?

It would depend on what happened. The insurance would generally not cover mechanical failure, but generally would any damage as a result. So for example, the catch beaking would not be covered, but the damage to the car as a result of the bonnet hitting it would be, or any damage from crashing as a result.