Drivers could face £1,000 fine & points on their licence for making Christmas party mistake in their motor
DRIVERS could face a £1,000 fine and points on their licence for Christmas party mistakes on their cars.
With Christmas Day now just weeks away many of us will be packing the car with shopping and presents ahead of the big day.
However drivers who make mistakes in the run-up to Christmas could be faced with a massive fine.
Now the car insurance team at Compare the Market has put together a list of some of the driving rules and regulations to follow in the run-up to the holiday season.
Decorating your car
Some drivers choose to decorate their cars in the weeks before Christmas. While this can be harmless fun, some decorations can obstruct a driver’s view of the road.
Drivers found to be using a vehicle in a dangerous condition like
this may be slapped with a £2,500 fine, discretionary disqualification and three penalty points.
Driving in a Christmas party outfit
While fancy shoes are nice for the Christmas party, drivers should be mindful of Rule 97 of the Highway Code.
Footwear that prevents motorists from maintaining proper control of the vehicle could land them with a £1,000 fine.
Driving with a Christmas tree
Due to a tree’s spiky and irregular shape, some motorists leave the boot open for more space with the top of the tree hanging out the back.
But if police catch you breaking those rules, you can be slapped with a £100 fine on the spot – not even the spirit of Christmas can save you from that.
Ultimately, the police could sting you for a CU50 offence – causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers depending on how bad the offence is.
And in dangerous cases you also risk being charged with careless and inconsiderate driving, which could lead to an unlimited fine and nine points.
Playing festive music
We all have our favourite Christmas songs from The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl to Maria Carey and Wizard.
However loud music can be deemed to be a violation of Highway Code rule 148.
The penalty for this is an unlimited fine, discretionary disqualification and three to nine penalty points.
Alcohol
While we all like a drink at a Christmas party, it’s also true that driving while under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offence.
Conviction can result in a fine, disqualification and even a prison term. Many people convicted of drink driving also lose their jobs.
Parking
Although visiting friends and family at Christmas is nice, you must never, at any time, stop or park on double yellow lines.
Christmas lights
In the UK, you are legally required to have white or yellow front headlights, as well as red rear tail lights.
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations Act stipulates that drivers are legally required to white or yellow front headlights, as well as red rear tail lights.
Snow and ice
Driving after snow has fallen is often inevitable during the Christmas season. However driving while part of your registration plate is obscured by snow or ice can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Julie Daniels from 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.”