Christmas TikTok trend that can land huge fines of up to £5k
Winter drivers have been warned that as we hurtle towards Christmas we should be wary of bringing too much seasonal joy to our cars. A TikTok featured on @allthatspretty which shows a festive wreath added to the spare tyre of a car has massive likes and shares and is growing by the day, but experts have urged drivers to decorate with caution.
The viral trend comes as Google searches for ‘car Christmas decorations’ have spiked by 25% in the past week alone, peaking at 3,000 average monthly search volumes across the UK as more people embrace decorating their vehicles for the holiday season. But, before you go full Deck The Halls on your car, experts at GAP insurance provider , ALA Insurance, have some important advice to ensure your festive cheer doesn’t come with unwanted consequences.
While decorating your car is not illegal in the UK, there are strict safety regulations that must be followed in order to avoid a hefty fine ahead of Santa arriving. Decorations that obstruct your view as a driver or distract other road users could lead to hefty penalties. For example, blocking your vision with lights or ornaments can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on your licence. Additionally, unsecured decorations that fall off and create hazards for other road users could result in fines of up to £5,000 or even court appearances.
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Charlotte Adams, from ALA’s Customer Support Team, comments: “Many drivers are unaware that festive decorations could be classified as vehicle modifications. If not disclosed to your insurer, this might invalidate your car insurance policy, leaving you vulnerable to significant financial risks in case of an accident.
She added that whilst festive car decorations can spread holiday cheer, it's important to bring the seasonal sparkle and safety to your vehicle by following four simple steps.
1. Keep all decorations securely fastened
2. Keep all views completely unobstructed - all windows and windscreens
3. Avoid lights as they can be distracting for you, pedestrians and other drivers
4. Make sure you declare any decorations to your insurance provider to avoid surprises .”
By following these decoration car rules, you can celebrate without risking hefty fines or invalidated cover and keep yourself off the DVLA’s naughty list this Christmas season.
For all the latest information on car insurance visit the ALA Insurance website.
