Motorists could be fined up to £200 for making a major mistake this Halloween, according to experts. Getting into the spirit and decorating a car ahead of the scariest night of the year may sound completely harmless.
Cars can often make some of the most creative decorations and can add a spooky element to driveways on October 31. Decorating a vehicle and leaving it parked on a drive is completely fine, but getting back behind the wheel after creeping it out could massively backfire. This is because decorations could become a major distraction or block motorists’ vision of the road ahead or behind.
A spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com explained: “It’s great to see people getting into the Halloween spirit, but drivers need to be aware that certain decorations can pose serious risks on the road. Items like masks on passenger seats or hanging decorations can easily distract drivers or block their view.”
“For instance, placing a mask on your passenger seat may seem like harmless fun, but it could lead to an on-the-spot fine of £200 and three penalty points for distracted driving or failing to drive with due care and attention.
“Even something as simple as spiderweb decorations on the dashboard or stickers on the rear windscreen could obstruct your view, leading to fines of up to £1,000.”
The DVLA states that anything which could obscure the driver’s vision must be removed immediately in the interest of road safety. It means that any object that blocks your view or distracts motorists while driving can result in the development of dangerous situations.
Swansway Motor Group has previously claimed that simple items like spider web decorations on the dashboard or stickers on the rear windscreen can be enough to obstruct visibility. Experts have also warned that simply taking photos of Halloween displays while behind the wheel could also backfire.
Although they said it is tempting to capture photos of other houses Halloween celebrations, holding your phone while driving is illegal. Motorists using their device could still be slapped with a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
If motorists had passed their test within the past two years, it could be enough to see road users taken off the roads.
BigWantsYourCar added: “Decorations are fun, but make sure they don’t interfere with your driving. Always prioritise safety on the road.”
