The strangest festive fines for drivers – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Car insurance experts are sharing some of the little-known ways motorists could incur fines this winter – from playing Christmas songs too loud to piling presents too high in the car.

The team from Tiger.co.uk are warning motorists of the small mistakes that could prove costly – and incurring fines is the last thing Brits need ahead of the Christmas period.

Festive cheer is in the air, but motorists are being warned that too much excitement could land them in trouble. Playing music too loudly or wearing restrictive Christmas party outfits while driving are some of the mistakes which could land motorists in hot water.

Parking issues could be another area that puts drivers in a spot of bother.  In the Christmas rush, drivers have been urged to resist temptation to park up illegally to run into a shop for those last-minute purchases – keeping an eye out for double and single yellow lines.

The motoring experts warn even making mistakes like parking in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic could land motorists with fines.

Penalties for other mistakes like wearing inappropriate clothing behind the wheel could result in a £100 on the spot fine, which could escalate to as much as £5,000.

Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk, Ian Wilson, said: “With Christmas approaching, we are issuing a final warning to motorists to help them avoid making easy mistakes which could land them in trouble.

“Simple things such as wearing novelty 3D Christmas jumpers or festive costumes can hinder your ability to drive safely, resulting in fines.

“Other issues include overfilling your car with presents and blocking the view out of the rear windscreen. While you may think it’s fine to drive like this for a short distance in order to drop off presents with loved ones, restricting your view can endanger yourself and other road users.

“We are also asking drivers to remember parking laws and not get swept up in the Christmas panic. We hope these festive reminders will help keep the roads safe for everyone this winter.”

Here are four ways motorists could end up with a festive fine:

1.Parking in the opposite direction to traffic

Even if you are popping into a shop for five minutes to get those last minute Christmas bits, following parking laws and regulations is essential. Rule 248 of the Highway Code states you must not park on a road at night against the flow of traffic unless it is a recognised parking space.

2.Listening to loud Christmas music

While it is not an offence to listen to music while driving, using a device to blast music loudly in the car can be distracting and impact your ability to safely navigate the roads. Although many of us are in the festive spirit, make sure to keep Christmas music down to an appropriate volume while driving.

Anyone playing loud music from a device in the car may be deemed not to have proper control of their vehicle or not be driving with reasonable consideration of others.

3.Piling presents in the boot

Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986 states all glass material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such conditions that it does not obscure the vision of the driver. Because of this, you should make sure that you refrain from piling presents too high in the boot this Christmas.

4.Wearing restrictive clothing

Novelty Christmas jumpers with lights and 3D elements or festive costumes, could also land you in a spot of bother. Highway Code Rule 97 states that before setting off, you must check your clothing and footwear do not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.

Penalties for inappropriate clothing behind the wheel could be as much as a £100 on the spot fine plus points on your licence.