This is useful info for anyone thinking of driving around wearing various Halloween masks, full costumes, or similar malarkey. Much comes down to individual Police Officer views on visibility of rear mirrors, full windscreen view, junction sightlines etc of course.
With Halloween around the corner, drivers need to be careful, with children four times more likely to be involved in accidents, while drunk driving is the number one cause of injury on Halloween night. The temporary insurance experts at GoShorty want to warn drivers of the potentially devilish dangers and frightful fines they could face as a result of the festivities.
Andy Moody, Founder and Managing Director at GoShorty, said: “Halloween’s a great time of the year, with plenty of parties to attend and places to be. However, we want to warn those planning to dress up that getting behind the wheel wearing an inappropriate costume could actually land them in trouble – with the risk of fines of up to £5,000!
We’ve put together some tips, so you don’t get caught out before you’ve had a chance to enjoy the evening – and as always, make sure to monitor your drinking levels and stay below the limit!”
Take Off Your Mask
Whether a costume that goes over your head or a mask, it’s important to remove this when driving. Failure to have a clear view of the road could lead to 11 penalty points and fines of up to £5,000!
Wear the Correct Footwear
Driving without proper footwear could be classed as not having control of the vehicle. So, if your costume involves some kind of inappropriate footwear, such as heels or costume accessories, you could be at risk of losing control of the vehicle – potentially leading to a £100 fine AND points on your licence!
Instead, to keep safe and in control, wear flat shoes or trainers when driving.
Make Sure You Can Wear Your Seatbelt
It can be tricky fitting your costume into the car and getting buckled in – but not wearing a seatbelt will land you with a £100 fine!
You may also want to consider taking your costume off for the drive if it makes it difficult to strap yourself in. It’s not worth risking the fine and your own safety. If this is the case, pack your costume in the boot for the journey, and get changed when you arrive.
Andy Moody added:
“Alongside the fines and potential danger you may cause when wearing a costume, you can also run the risk of increasing your insurance premiums – the horror! The consequences of driving in a costume simply aren’t worth it – so maybe consider a tamer look this year, or make sure to choose a look that ensures minimal disruption to your driving abilities.
Always make sure you have a backup plan if you’re celebrating in style. With our short-term insurance, you or another driver can get insured on a vehicle in no time if someone imbibes a bit too hard, giving you a quick and easy alternative to ordering a taxi and letting you get home safely.”
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