Drivers warned wearing a HAT could risk a £1,000 fine as they wrap up warm this winter
DRIVERS could face a huge fine and even receive penalty points for wearing their hats in their cars this winter.
As the weather gets colder, it’s crucial to be aware that breaking this little-known driving rule could land you in heaps of trouble.
Motorists have been warned that driving while wearing their hats behind the wheel could result in an eye-watering £1000 fine.
Although having a hat on is not against the law, it is considered to be a breach of the Highway Code.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code clearly specifies that drivers must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.”
The Road Traffic Act warns that anything that any obstruction to a driver’s view may be considered a hazard, and yes, this includes hats.
Should an individual be discovered with an item obstructing their vision, they might face a £100 fine.
In the event that the matter goes to court, this penalty could rise to £1,000, and three penalty points added to their driving license.
This comes just after Brits were warned that wearing fancy shoes or new pricey frocks could be slapped with a whopping £5,000 fine and have points added to their licence.
Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, said: “It’s not illegal to drive shoeless or in improper footwear, but all drivers have a responsibility to operate their cars in a safe manner.
“This includes being able to use the pedals properly.
“Over Christmas and New Year many people wear something on their feet that doesn’t appear any other time of year – be it a pair of sparkly high heels or some shiny patent leather shoes with pointy toes.
“However, if your footwear is unsuitable for driving the impact could be huge. Not only could it cost a fine and points, it puts other road users at risk.
The Highway Code makes it clear that all drivers much ensure their “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.
But wearing fancy, or festive, attire in your car isn’t the only thing that could see you slapped with a hefty fine this winter.
The RAC has warned on its website: “Many legal medicines and widely-used painkillers could impair your driving and it’s an offence in England, Scotland, and Wales to drive with specified limits of certain drugs in your blood.”
The government have advised motorists to check with their doctors if they are taking prescription drugs for anxiety, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and opioid pain killers.
Some cold and allergy remedies are also featured and should be run past a GP before you get behind the wheel.
If you don’t tell the DVLA about certain conditions, you could end up being slapped with a £1,000 fine, and if you are caught drug-driving, you could face a minimum of a one-year ban.
And, if you’re heading abroad this winter, make sure you’re not driving with tinted or coloured rear windows without official authorisation.
Motorists who fail to get permission from the correct authorities could be slapped with penalties of up to €200 – which is about £172.