As the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration gets underway, the nation has begun to get into the spirits ahead of the long weekend.
While there are a number of planned celebrations set to take place, it is likely that Scots will want to take part in the festivities by adorning their homes with festive decorations.
In recent years, cars have also become a popular way to show enthusiasm for any holiday, whether it is through flying flags or sporting stickers to show support for sports teams, festive holidays, or favoured charities.
As retailers across the UK are already selling Jubilee themed stickers, air fresheners, and flags to celebrate the occasion, Scottish drivers should re-think draping their vehicles in red, white, and blue - as accessories can land drivers with hefty fines and points on their licence.
Rules
While there aren’t any specific laws in place to stop drivers from adding novelty accessories to their cars, 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’.
Ignoring these regulations and using decorations, particularly around the windscreen and front of the car, could put you at risk of being fined.
An area of 290mm high, from the centre of the steering wheel, and within the swept area of the windscreen should be kept clear at all times - with stickers, or other obstructions only allowed to impede a maximum of 10mm in this space.
Any drivers found to be in breach of the rules could be given a £100 on the spot fine, with penalties also able to increase to a maximum of £1,000 and three points on the licence.
For those tempted to add a novelty mascot to their vehicle, it may be worth thinking twice before purchasing, as Rule 53 states that no mascot, emblem or other ornamental objects should be in a position where it is ‘likely to strike any person with whom the vehicle may collide’.
How to safely decorate your car
If you’re still tempted to deck out your car, it’s definitely worth ensuring that any decorations such as flags are fastened securely to the vehicle before setting off.
Nobody wants to end up with decorations flying off their car while they’re on the move, but if this was to occur and items were to fall in the path of other road users, this could result in the driver 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.
Although decorations can be used safely, it’s worth bearing in mind that you may still be invalidating your insurance by having them on your vehicle, unless your insurance company is notified.
Any form of car stickers can be seen as cosmetic upgrades, which insurers may view as altering the car away from its original specifications. Additionally, it could be argued that stickers on the rear windscreen could impair your road vision, invalidating the policy in another way.
In short - if you’re thinking of decorating your car, double-check first to avoid running the risk of incurring hefty bills in the event of an accident.
Car decoration tips
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 this Platinum Jubilee weekend
1. 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.
2. Fasten decorations securely
Before heading off, double check that your decorations are fastened on securely and aren’t likely to drop off while moving.
3. 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.
4. 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: “Car decorations are something we often see around the World Cup and in line with major sporting events, but they have also seen surges in popularity around royal events such as the Diamond Jubilee weekend in 2012, and of course royal weddings.
"Although it's always good to get in the spirit, and it may seem like a harmless bit of fun to pop a flag up on your car, the consequences of any mismanaged 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.”
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