Halloween is upon us and that means shops and supermarkets are full of scary costumes and trick or treat sweets.
But, ahead of the festivities, Brits should be aware of a Halloween driving rule that could land them in serious trouble.
As Halloween approaches, you may be tempted to get behind the wheel in your costume or a scary mask, in an attempt to scare other drivers or passersby. But, a little known driving rule could see you face a hefty fine if you do.
Although this may be a harmless prank, it could see you rack up a £5,000 fine if you are caught by the police. This is because the Highway Code states that you mustn’t wear anything which could ‘restrict your vision’.
The guide refers to items such as visors or tinted sunglasses, however, this could also be applied to your frightening scream mask or zombie facial prosthetics – so make sure you keep them off.
And it’s not just the scary masks and headgear you should be cautious of. Rule 97 of the Highway Code says that you shouldn’t wear clothing or footwear which ‘prevent you using the controls in the correct manner’.
Which means your Mummy outfit or clunky clown shows may have to be stay at home, or be put on when you reach your Halloween party destination.
What is the punishment if I’m caught?
“Halloween may inspire some fun, but while you’re out enjoying the festivities in costume, don’t forget to prioritise road safety. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of everyone on the road,” warned Majid Ismailzada, Marketing Director and Motoring Expert at GM Direct Hire.
“If you’re pulled over, expect to face the consequences – in some cases, that can include steep fines.”
According to Insurance Edge, failure to have a clear view of the road while driving could lead to a maximum of 11 penalty points and a fine of up to £5,000. Which is a huge price to pay for a costume.
When it comes to driving in incorrect shoes or not being able to put your seatbelt on, both of these could see you slapped with a £100 fine and potentially even points.
Further reading
Driver and passenger claims – Oakwood Solicitors
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Paul Shemwell is a Senior Litigator who specialises in complex and high value cases.
Paul has over 20 years vast experience of all areas of Personal Injury Law and has an excellent trial success ra…
