Christmas week is finally here and, if the weather allows, thousands of people across Wales will be driving all over the country in the next few days to be with family, loved ones and friends. And what better way to get into the festive spirit than to add a bit of yuletide cheer to your otherwise monotonous drive to be with someone for the holidays?
However, while there’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of yuletide cheer, it could actually end up making for a more expensive Christmas than you had budgeted for if you’re caught out doing so in an unsafe manner. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
Did you know, for example, that you can be hit with a hefty fine and even handed nine penalty points on your licence if you listen to some of your favourite festive hits too loudly as you’re driving home for Christmas? You can also be fined heavily for having certain decorations in specific places in your car and even if you dress up like Santa!
Read more: Two schools shut and thousands left without water for days as pipes burst
Insurance experts at Compare the Market have compiled a list of driving rules that people need to keep in mind when out and about in the build-up to and over Christmas, and how much trouble they might be in if they’re caught taking the celebrations a bit too far while behind the wheel.
Make sure decorations do not limit your view of the road
Adding tinsel or snowflakes to your windows could see drivers hit with a fine of £1,000 because they could be in violation of Rule 30 of the Highway Code. According to Compare the Market: “It’s important to always have a clear view of the road ahead of you, which includes ensuring that your wintry decorations are not causing any obstruction to your view of the road, as it is not only unsafe but could leave you with a hefty fine and penalty points.”
Ensure your number plates are visible
Many people like to put tinsel or other decorations on the front or rear of their cars at this time of year, including around their number plates. While this would be fine in the eyes of the law, it would be in breach of the Highway Code if those decorations in any way blocked up either of your plates.
If either your front or rear number plate is not fully visible, you could be hit with a huge fine of up to £1,000.
Don’t change or add lights to your vehicle
While it may be tempting to add festive lights to your car over Christmas, it’s important that drivers adhere to a few simple rules, otherwise they could be hit in the pocket. According to Compare the Market: “It is an offence to have a red light at the front of any vehicle, a white light at the rear (unless reversing) of any vehicle, and green lights fitted anywhere on a vehicle that isn’t a Medical Practitioner vehicle. It doesn’t matter if the lights are mounted inside or outside the vehicle - if they are visible from the outside, drivers would be in violation of this rule and could face a £50 non-endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice.”
Costumes and outfits cannot interfere with your seat belt
Dressing up as Santa or an elf to get to that eagerly-awaited Christmas party might seem like a good idea before you set off, but again it’s something seemingly innocuous which could land you in trouble if you were pulled over by police.
According to rule 97 of the Highway Code, clothing and footwear should not stop drivers from using the controls of their vehicle in a safe manner. So, if your costume is interfering with the seat belt, or your Santa boots are having an impact on your ability to use the brakes, the clutch or the accelerator, you could be hit with points on your licence and a fine of up to £500, which can increase to £5,000 if the matter is taken to court.
Don’t have those festive hits playing too loud as you’re driving home for Christmas
Of course, there is nothing wrong with listening to your favourite Christmas tunes on your way to a party or to a relative’s house, but it could end up costing you more than you spent on some gifts if the music in you car is so loud that it distracts you from the road.
According to rule 148 in the Highway Code, “safe driving needs concentration - avoid distractions when driving such as loud music”. If music is found to interfere with a driver’s ability to drive safely, they could be hit with an unlimited fine under the driving without due care and attention offence of the Highway Code, and nine points on their licence.
In addition to which, how you select your music could land you in trouble. According to Compare the Market: “Be conscious of the volume, and select your songs responsibly, as using a hand-held device to switch songs can land drivers with a £200 fine and six penalty points.”
Read next:
- Call for far more electric cars and vans in council's fleet of 796 vehicles
- Memorial bell for little boy who died silenced after noise complaints
- Man died after mountain bike fitted with engine crashed outside village shop
- Christmas 2022 bin collection dates in Carmarthen
- New school in Kidwelly gets final approval
