Drivers who are found disobeying motoring rules that applies during the harsh winter months could face a £5,000 fine.
The little-known regulation might get you in hot water and drain your bank account, so here’s how to avoid being caught off guard.
During the winter, it may seem practical, if not prudent, to dress in your warmest clothes and most comfortable footwear before getting in the automobile.
One driving regulation, on the other hand, can get you in hot trouble for doing something relatively innocuous.
Drivers who are caught wearing winter boots behind the wheel face £5,000 fines because the Highway Code regulation 97 states that it can impair a motorist’s ability to use the vehicle’s foot controls correctly.
If a pair of fluffy, warm boots obstructs your ability to manage the pedals in a safe and proper manner, a court may find you guilty of driving carelessly. A driving suspension and nine penalty points are also severe consequences.
The appropriateness of one’s footwear for the activity at hand must be examined “Before Setting Off” according to Rule 97.
Drivers are also required to “know where all the controls are and how to use them” , as well as make sure “mirrors and seats are adjusted correctly to ensure comfort, full control, and maximum vision.
Head restraints are properly adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries in the event of a collision.”
The RAC has issued fresh caution, recommending drivers to avoid wearing shoes with bottoms thicker than 10mm. “You don’t want a sole that’s too soft or thin, shoes that are too heavy should be avoided, as well as those that limit ankle movement,” the report said.
However, boots are only one component of a driver’s clothing that could get you in hot water this winter. Motorists wearing winter coats could face a £100 fine as well.
While wearing the coat in the car is not prohibited, removing it while driving is a violation of the Highway Code.