Drivers planning to travel over the festive break have been warned of a surprisingly common habit that could result in serious trouble.
With the big day approaching, many Brits are feeling increasingly festive, with plenty listening to classic Christmas songs whilst they are on the roads.
Whilst festive music is generally harmless, Lucy Sherliker, Head of Customer at Zuto Car Finance, urged drivers to not let it distract them from the road.
She warned: “Most people either love or hate Christmas songs. However, for fans of a festive tune, Christmas music is perfect to sing along to and it can be easy to crank up the volume to get in the spirit.
“Whilst they can bring a lot of fun, playing music too loud while driving can distract both yourself and other drivers around you – especially in residential areas – and therefore could land you a fine of up to £100 and three points on your licence!”
Since they are often heard every year, many motorists like to sing along with Christmas music to feel festive and pass the time on long road trips.
However, playing any kind of music too loud could prevent drivers from being able to hear traffic around them, potentially putting them at risk of causing an accident.
As a result, drivers who are spotted playing Christmas music at a high volume or getting distracted whilst singing along could receive a fine of £100 and three penalty points.
Motorists were also warned to avoid playing festive songs that have a fast pace when travelling over Christmas, which can make drivers feel more stressed and ultimately result in further distractions.
According to a study by One Sure Insurance, the worst Christmas songs to play at a loud volume inside a car are Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens and Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, both of which have a BPM of over 200.
In comparison, the company suggested drivers wishing to feel festive listen to Brenda Lee’s Rocking Around the Christmas Tree or The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole, which are both under 75 BPM.
One Sure Insurance noted that drivers who choose their Christmas songs carefully can arrive at their destination feeling more relaxed and avoid serious accidents.
They added: “We all love to have a sing along while in the car, but the research shows it is better to stick with songs below a 120 beat per minute if you want to keep yourself and others on the road safe.
“Our goal is to encourage drivers to be mindful of their playlist choices this winter.”