Every driver in Britain could be slapped with a £100 fine and penalty points on their driving licence for distracted driving on Wednesday evening. Tonight is November 5, also known as Bonfire Night, meaning the sky is expected to be lit up with fireworks.
Displays are scheduled across the country, while many families will put on their own garden firework displays in housing estates throughout Britain. But the sheer number of fireworks could prove to be a major distraction for road users, with motorists at risk of falling foul of a vital rule. According to experts, taking your eyes off the road to watch or point at fireworks could be classed as careless driving.
This comes with a financial penalty of up to £100, and motorists are also at risk of receiving three penalty points on their licence. Claire Wills-McKissick, expert at Tempcover, stressed that in some severe cases, road users could even face disqualification in a major blow.
Claire added: “In the midst of fireworks and frenzy this Bonfire Night, vigilance is essential. Ensure you maintain a safe distance between yourself and the car in front, and that your full focus is on the road ahead. That split-second distraction could carry a lifetime of regret.”
Data highlights that distracted driving is a major issue, with thousands of road users affected every year. Statistics show that in 2017, motorists picked up 4,573 injury accidents where driver distraction was recorded as a contributory factor – of these 774 were serious, and 125 were fatal.
The AA has previously explained: “It doesn’t matter if you’ve just passed your test or if you’re an experienced driver – everyone can find themselves losing concentration on the road from time to time. Distracted driving might not seem as dangerous as falling asleep at the wheel or drink driving – but it can be just as deadly.
Previous research from MoneySuperMarket found more than half of drivers (57%) said that loud noises and flashes were distracting while driving. The poll of more than 2,000 UK car owners, revealed that almost one in three motorists (32%) avoid driving when there are firework displays nearby.
Meanwhile, almost one-third of those surveyed (32%) admitted they have been startled by fireworks in the past.
MoneySuperMarket previously said: “Fireworks might be fun to watch but they can pose a serious distraction for drivers, especially at night when bright flashes and loud bangs can catch you off guard.”
