The festive sprit is well and truly with us, Christmas lights are up on every shop, corner and (most houses), and the letters to Santa have all been sent.
And while the weather has so far been mild, there is always the risk of storms, heavy rain, hail, snow, ice and all manner of dangerous driving conditions.
Outside of that, though, there are a few other driving habits that could land you in hot water…
Festive Driving Mistakes To Be Aware Of
Let’s face it, the last thing anyone wants is a letter from the police or DVLA landing on the doorstep this Christmas – so, experts are warning about some common driving mistakes over the festive season:
- Failing to secure a Christmas tree correctly on top of your vehicle could be deemed as an ‘unsecured load’, which could lead to a maximum penalty of 3 points and a £5,000 if it’s deemed to be dangerous driving
- Obscuring the driver’s view with any festive decorations such as tinsel, antlers or stickers could land you with a £1,000 fine
- One of the biggest winter safety tips as it gets frosty and snowy is to ensure that any frost, snow or mist is fully cleared from the windscreen before setting off (and any snow from the roof, too!) to ensure there are no visibility issues as you begin your journey
- And the idea of festive car decorations, including colourful Christmas lights, might seem like a good one, but there are plenty of regulations that make it a no-go zone!
Staying Safe In Wintry Driving Conditions
With the colder weather due to arrive over the winter, it’s always a good time to remind yourself of key winter safety tips, including keeping windscreens clear as you set off.
Leaving additional time is always advisable, so factoring that into those standard driving checks before setting off is a great idea..
As ever, planning ahead is crucial and staying safe on the roads this Christmas is all about preparation, focus, and calmness – Merry Christmas!
