Warning over common Christmas driving mistakes that could see you fined £2,500
In the run-up to Christmas, many drivers might want to get in the festive spirit by getting the decorations ready, listening to their favourite festive songs and prepping their outfits for all the parties.
But when it comes to this time of year, there are rules that motorists need to be aware of to avoid hefty fines - some as high as £2,500. In the midst of the holiday fun, the most important thing is to always be safe in the car and if you aren't, expect to be hit hard in the pocket.
Some people might want to decorate their vehicle for the occasion, while others will be blaring Mariah Carey and sing along at an incredible volume. Motorists in years gone by have fallen foul of the rules and paid the price, so if you don't want your Christmas to have a dark cloud hanging over it, you need to be clued up.
Police are extra vigilant during the festive period (Getty Images)Julie Daniels, car insurance expert at Compare the Market, says: “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.”
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Decorating your car
Whilst Christmas car decorations may definitely add some festive cheer to your motor, they could also invalidate your insurance policy, as companies may refuse to pay out on claims if you’re involved in an accident. This is because decorating a car is considered a vehicle modification.
Companies invalidate cover because upgrading the aesthetics of a vehicle can make the car more attractive to thieves and criminals. It could also mean your car insurance premiums increase, as the likelihood of you claiming on a policy would have also increased. Christmas decorations and lights can obstruct a driver’s view of the road. and a £2,500 fine, discretionary disqualification and three penalty points us possible.
Driving with a Christmas tree
It’s not illegal to drive home with your tree tied to your roof but it must be tied down securely (Getty Images)Those who love a real tree know the struggle getting it into your home is real. But you need to be really careful after picking one up - and if you go too big, you could be in hot water.
Transporting a Christmas tree that is too big to fit comfortably in the car can affect a driver's control of the vehicle or view of the road ahead. There's a risk of a £1,000 fine, discretionary disqualification and three penalty points. Smaller is safer if you can't get yours delivered.
Getting distracted by music
We've all got our festive favourites, and who doesn't love a sing along when a classic comes onto the radio?
But loud music and singing and dancing while driving can of course be distracting, leading to a loss of concentration and violating rule 148 of the Highway Code. It's an unlimited fine, discretionary disqualification and three to nine penalty points. Alongside this, you could also pick up a ‘driving without due care and attention’ or even a ‘dangerous driving’ charge.
Party outfit problem
Don't let a party wreck your Christmas (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Whether it takes weeks to plan the perfect party outfit or it’s a last-minute find, drivers should always make sure that 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 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.
Driving hungover
This one goes without saying. It is illegal to drive if you are unfit through alcohol consumption, as it seriously affects your judgement and driving abilities. At Christmas time, more booze is drunk than at any other period for millions.
But it's not just the night of a celebration, remember. What about the next day? "Even if you've been to sleep after drinking, there could still be high levels of alcohol in your system, and this could be enough to put you well over the drink driving limit," drinkaware.co.uk explains.
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They say safest and best advice is to avoid alcohol completely the night before you have to drive. If not, six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine and obligatory disqualification could be handed out.
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