Giving your car a festive makeover could land you with the unwanted Christmas gifts of a £5,000 fine and penalty points on your licence, motoring experts have warned. While homes across the country are festooned with fairy lights, baubles and fake snow, many Brits also like to give their vehicles a touch of Yuletide cheer.
This can include large Santa hats, reindeer antlers and even dashboard Christmas trees that play Jingle Bells. But with these fun items comes a warning that if they fall off while on the road and obstruct another vehicle, you could be in line for some serious trouble.
That's because if these dislodged festive trinkets cause an accident motorists could be charged with "driving without reasonable consideration for other road users”. Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, explained: "For most people Christmas is a time of fun and celebration - and many like to extend this vibe to their vehicles.
"But while this is mostly a harmless way to spread some festive cheer, it's worth remembering that we all have to respect motoring laws and the safety of fellow drivers. So be careful what you adorn your car with as making the wrong choice could present a hazard to other road users, land you with a hefty fine and leave you with unwanted penalty points on your licence."
The punishment for "driving without reasonable consideration for other road users" is up to nine penalty points and a £5,000 fine. If the situation is more serious you could even be looking at a driving ban and a day in court.
It's not the only rule motorists should be aware of, according to Select Car Leasing's Mr Conway. Anything that obstructs the vision of a driver in any way is considered a hazard, according to the Road Traffic Act.
Offences could result in a fine of up to £1,000, plus three penalty points if the case is challenged in court and the driver loses. "You could even come a cropper with your insurance company," he said.
"Toy elves and plastic reindeer could be considered "modifications" and therefore invalidate an insurance policy if not declared. This means you wouldn't be covered in the event of an accident and your premiums are also likely to rise."
