29 November 2023 , 07:57
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Motorists have been warned they could face a £2,500 fine this Christmas by breaking this driving rule.
During the festive period, Brits up and down the country want to have a little bit of fun - whether that be wearing a Christmas jumper to work, or heading out for a festive mulled wine after a long day. However, Compare the Market has issued a warning for drivers who may be tempted to spread some merriness by decorating their cars this year.
Some motorists, particularly those who spend a lot of time in their cars such as taxi and lorry drivers, may be tempted to add a little bit of tinsel or some fairy lights to their vehicle to brighten things up. However, Compare the Market warns that although this may seem relatively innocent, it could land drivers in severe trouble.
According to the Highway code, if your decorations obstruct your view of the road you could be classed as "using a vehicle in a dangerous condition". This could potentially slap you with a £2,500 fine, a discretionary disqualification and three penalty points on your licence.
Alongside this, under The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, you cannot have any lights on your car that would obstruct your view, or distract other drivers. You also cannot have any lights on your car that are yellow, green, blue or red, as these could be misconstrued as belonging to an emergency vehicle so this means you cannot put coloured Christmas lights inside your car.
Pet owners driving with dogs face £5,000 fine if they break these rules
Compare the Market may come across as being a bit of a Grinch this festive season, however, it has also highlighted a few other Highway rules drivers may not be aware of. The comparison site warns that drivers should always make sure their clothing and footwear choice doesn’t interfere with their ability to drive safely.
Shoes like high heels or a fancy dress outfit that restricts movement while driving and could prevent motorists from maintaining proper control of the vehicle, which breaks Rule 97 of the Highway Code and can land them with a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.
Finally, those who love to blast some festive music as they are driving home for Christmas need to know that they could actually be breaking the law. Whether it’s Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé, singing or dancing along to music while driving, can distract drivers and cause them to lose concentration.
Loud music can also mask other sounds from the road and may be considered careless and inconsiderate driving in violation of Highway Code rule 148. The penalty for this is an unlimited fine, discretionary disqualification and three to nine penalty points — so motorists should try to keep the festive singalongs to a minimum when behind the wheel.
Julie Daniels, car insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: "Christmas is a busy period, so it’s especially important to be prepared when making journeys in your car. Take the time to plan your trip before you set off, including checking the traffic conditions, weather forecast, and road closures. If you’re driving a long distance, you should also break your journey up into shorter sections and allow plenty of time for rest stops.
“Most importantly, make sure to keep up to date with the rules of the road and follow these closely at all times. Christmas is expensive enough without unexpected fines to pay, and penalty points can make matters worse by potentially increasing the cost of your car insurance.”