Drivers in the UK have been warned they could face a fine of £100 if found with a messy car.
Plenty of us are guilty of having McDonald's sauces, receipts and random pieces of clothing dashed about our cars, but most people don't realise it could be a costly mistake.
Experts have warned that having an overly messy car could see you fined for careless driving - and could leave you £100 out of pocket.
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Jamie Louram, Halfords Car Cleaning Buyer, has recently shared his advice on what to look out for to make sure cars are clean, tidy, and most importantly safe to drive.
Mr Louram said: “Whilst there is no fine for having a messy interior, clutter if bad enough can also fall under the careless driving rule leading to a fine of up to £100.”
He added: “As a general rule, keep your car clutter-free to avoid any dangerous situations such as things getting stuck under the brake pedal or blocking your view.
“If you do tend to err on the side of messy when it comes to your car, a bin is a great solution.”
The expert also highlighted the importance of having clean mirrors.
Mr Louram said: “It’s crucial to check that your mirrors are clean and clear every time you use your car, as anything that may obstruct your vision will make it dangerous to drive.”
Motorists could also face fines of up to £1,000 if the outside of the car is dirty.
Drivers have been urged to make sure that their number plates are fully visible, and that their windscreens are clear and clean without any chips or breaks.
Mr Louram said: “Any kind of dirt or grime on the windscreen can be incredibly dangerous as it can impact your view of the road ahead.
“In some instances having a dirty windscreen could be seen as careless driving and land motorists with a fine of up to £100 and points on the license if an accident occurs as a result.
“Grime can build up on the windscreen over time, so give it a good wash to ensure visibility is at its optimum whilst out on the roads.”
Motoring experts have also been providing tips on how to keep your car clean and organised.
Drivers have been told to always keep a pack of wipes in the car.
Whether or not you have small kids, wipes will come in handy for any car owner.
They are great for cleaning up spills, wiping dirty hands, and a quick way to get the interior plastics and hard surfaces in your car sparkling.
Having an organised glove box is also key.
Experts urged drivers to stop storing paperwork inside, and check what items might be useful to keep there.
Additionally, research by Ageas has shown that cupholders are some of the worst culprits for hiding bacteria in many cars.
Part of the problem is that they are very difficult to clean, says the Express.
One popular trick is to use a travel cup, with an old sock over the bottom.
Drivers can spray it with window cleaner, put it inside the cup holder, and twist it around so it shifts all the dirt.
Motorists could also prevent cupholders from getting dirty in the first place by putting silicon baking cups in them, which will catch all of the dust and dirt and are easier to empty out.
Lastly, every car should have a bin and a clean boot.
Even a small plastic container could act as a bin.
Drivers should, however, remember to empty it out once in a while to prevent any unwanted smells in the car.
Motorists should also take a minute to go through the boot and decide what they really need to keep in there.
Sorting things into bags so they are not left rolling around, or buying a car boot organiser, could go a long way and possibly prevent any unwanted fines.
