As with any large sporting event, people are only too likely to want to show their support by taking part in football-themed events of their own, with many even wanting to decorate their homes for viewing parties over the next few weeks. For many years, cars in particular have become a key way for supporters to show their enthusiasm for the sport, with flags and stickers often appearing on vehicles even outside of large tournaments, to show their passion for their top team.
With retailers selling a range of footie-themed air fresheners, flags and vinyl stickers to help supporters get into the tournament spirit, it could be worth thinking twice before dressing up your car in national colours, as accessories can land drivers with hefty fines and points on their licence.
Although novelty car accessories aren’t banned by any specific laws, Rule 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that the driver must, at all times, ‘have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle’.
Having decorations around the windscreen, or front of the car, could be seen to be in breach of these regulations, leaving drivers at risk of receiving a fine. Importantly, drivers should ensure that they keep their windscreen clear from obstructions, specifically from the centre of the steering wheel and within the area covered by the reach of the wipers, up to 290mm high - any stickers or decorations may only cover a maximum of 10mm within this space.
Drivers found to be breaking these rules and being too overzealous with their decorations could receive a £100 on the spot fine, with a maximum penalty of £1,000 and three points on the licence.
One of the main things for drivers to check when decorating their vehicles, is that any decorations such as flags are securely fastened and are not at risk of blowing away while on a dual carriageway or other road. Not only would drivers be losing their decorations and money as a result, but any decorations that fall in the path of other road users could lead to drivers being charged with driving without reasonable consideration for other road users (inconsiderate driving). Again, drivers found to be in breach of this rule can receive on-the-spot-fines of £100 and three penalty points, rising to up to £2,500 and disqualification in serious cases.
Aside from the safety of the decorations themselves, it’s important for drivers to double-check their insurance before getting into the festive spirit. In some cases, decorations can invalidate insurance policies unless the insurer is notified prior to them being installed on the vehicle. In the case of football, team stickers which are very frequently seen on vehicles up and down the country can be seen as cosmetic upgrades, and a modification away from the vehicle’s original specification. Having such stickers on the rear windscreen, where they are commonly displayed, can also impede a driver’s view of the road, leading to policies becoming invalidated in another way. Even if a team sticker may seem like a harmless addition to your car, it’s always best to double check your insurance beforehand to avoid incurring hefty bills in the event of an accident.
Four Expert Tips For Decorating Your Vehicle Safely
With these safety regulations and possible penalties in mind, Scrap Car Comparison has compiled four top tips to help you stay safe on the roads, while having fun and supporting your team during the tournament…
- Don’t place decorations near the front or rear of the vehicle - the main thing is to ensure that you have a clear view of the road and other vehicles at all times while on the road, so make sure your decorations aren’t restricting your sight from the front or rear of the vehicle, or other key positions.
- Fasten decorations securely - before heading off, double check that your decorations are fastened on securely and aren’t likely to drop off while moving.
- Think about size - the larger the decorations, the more likely you are to run into trouble while driving, so smaller decorations can often be safer.
- Double check your insurance - to make sure you’re covered while on the road, make sure to check your insurance before heading off - if there are any items that class as a ‘modification’, make sure you notify your insurer of these before you plan to drive.
Dan Gick, Managing Director of Scrap Car Comparison said: “Sports themed car decorations are a frequent sight on our roads, with many people using stickers, flags or scarves to show their support for their team in a variety of sports - with football being one top example.
"With England and Wales both heading out to try and bring football home once again, it’s to be expected that many of us will be struck by football fever as the tournament progresses and want to show our support.
"Although adding flags or stickers to your vehicle can seem like harmless fun, the consequences of any mis-managed decorations can potentially be incredibly severe - both in terms of fines and points, but also physically in the event of a collision. We wouldn’t want people to miss out on the fun or put them off celebrating the best way they know how, but we would encourage reading the guidance around car decorations to ensure they are used safely.”
