21 June 2024 , 19:44
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Drivers have been warned about flags and emblems during the Euros as unsafe attachments could land them with a hefty fine in the UK.
For many football fans, now is the time to show their support for the Three Lions in Euro 2024, with the St George’s flag decorating homes and cars across the country.
You might want to stick a flag on the back of your car ahead of the next England game with Slovenia on Tuesday, June 25, but doing so hastily could land you in hot water.
This is because faultily attached flags and decorations could be considered an obstruction.
Officers can slap drivers with a £300 fine on the spot for an unsecured load, and it could lead to a court appearance where penalties can reach up to £2,500.
While driving with a flag is not an offence in itself, you could be committing one if the emblem came off and caused an injury or damage.
Especially large flags could become a problem, government guidance from 2010 warned.
A flag of the size of an A4 paper would be considered normal, but ‘the larger the flag the more potential for problems,’ West Yorkshire Police has said.
Larger flags than this could obstruct the driver’s or another motorist’s view, or endanger other road users.
What about decorating your number plate for the big games?
The law sets out specific requirements for register plates, and incorrect ones carry a maximum fine of £1,000.
Most roadsides and car parks are dotted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, and police use them to identify and locate cars and disrupt criminals.
So it is worth checking that any decorations don’t risk covering any part of your register plate, and secure any flags before hitting the road.