With Christmas just weeks away and advent calendars being opened, drivers have been warned that Christmas Day is not the only thing they need to worry about.
The warning reads that drivers could face fines of over £25,000 for ignoring these driving laws this festive season. As cautioned by James Harding, a tyre specialist with 15 years of experience at Blackcircles, he has revealed five festive driving habits that could result in a hefty fine this Christmas.
From Christmas music to festive lights, drivers could see as much as £5,000 being taken from their bank accounts. On top of this, they could get slapped with nine points on their licence. Here is what you need to know.
1. Festive sing-a-longs | £100 to £5,000 fine and 3-9 points on licence
James revealed: “Rule 148 of the Highway Code is in place to ensure safe driving without distraction. Included in this rule is driving with loud music, as this could mask the noise of hazards both inside and outside the vehicle. If you are focused on singing along to your favourite Christmas songs, you are likely not paying full attention to the road ahead. If an incident occurs, you could be facing fines of up to £5,000 for careless driving, depending on the severity.”
2. Transporting your tree | £100 to £5,000 fine and 3-9 points on licence
If you are yet to take home your Christmas tree, it is good to know that if it has to go on your roof, you need to ensure the tree is "properly secured with bungee cords and is not sticking out, obscuring visibility or putting other road users at risk."
You should also check before your journey that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for the added load, with the expert recommending drivers refer to their vehicle's manual for guidance.
James continued: “You will need to adjust your driving accordingly, taking corners slowly and adjusting your stopping distance for the added weight. If an incident occurs, you may face an initial £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence; however, more severe incidents could result in penalties exceeding £2,500.”
3. Decorating your car | £100 fine and 3 points on licence
If you are on the road a lot, a festive car may seem like a fun way to get into the festive spirit, but people are warned that it could lead to penalties. James said: "Although not illegal, drivers caught with a cluttered dashboard that is deemed a distraction could face a fine of £100 and 3 points on their licence.
“This year, it’s become a trend to decorate your exterior spare wheel, particularly on the likes of Defenders. If attached securely, these decorations can add some festive flair to your vehicle. However, this decor can pose a risk if it were to fall off or loosen whilst driving, becoming a hazard to yourself and other road users.”
4. Festive footwear and outfits | £100 to £5,000 fine and 3 points on licence
View 3 ImagesNobody wants a fine before Christmas(Image: Getty)
Whether you are heading to or from a party, drivers should be aware that festive headgear and Christmas jumpers can affect their driving. This could be because it restricts your movement, reflexes, and visibility and if this is the case, "you could be facing fines of up to £5,000", James warns.
He added: "This could include items such as high heels, bulky gloves, restrictive puffer coats, and long scarves. Be sure to check your range of motion before setting off on your journey, and always wear sensible shoes when driving.”
5. Carelessness in snow and ice | £2,500 to unlimited penalty
The weather in the UK can change within seconds, it seems, and at this time of year, snow and ice are pretty common. With this in mind, the expert warns: "Not clearing snow and ice from all windows can result in fines of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your license due to obscured visibility. If snow or ice also obscures number plates or lights, this can see you face a fine of £1,000.
“Finally, if you are driving with insufficient tread depth on your tyres, the braking, handling, and stability of the tyres are compromised, increasing the risk of an accident. When caught driving on worn, illegal tyres, you will likely receive a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence. This is the case for each unlawful tyre."
The expert concluded by stressing that drivers should consider all-season tyres or winter tyres to prepare their vehicle for the adverse weather over the next few months.
