Points on Your Licence For Arachnophobia? It’s a Remote Possibility

The word from ALA Insurance on the potential consequences of reacting to a car spider making a new home in your ear; keep calm and carry on.

It’s that time of year again – the weather is cooling, leaves are changing colour and falling, and people are swapping the garden for nights indoors in front of the TV watching Great British Bake Off, but it’s not just people looking for somewhere a little warmer inside. Spiders are seeking shelter anywhere they can, like in your car.

That’s why people are turning to Google looking for help. Searches for “stop spider in car” have surged by 5,000% in the last week to become a breakout term. But don’t worry, car warranty experts, ALA Insurance is on hand to keep the 8-legged pests away.

Did you know, dangerous driving caused by being scared by a spider could land you with a £2,500 fine and up to 9 points on your driving licence?

Aimee Anderson of ALA Insurance, motoring insurance experts, advised, “Arachnophobia or a fear of spiders is the second biggest fear in the UK. So it’s not surprising how distracting a spider could be when you’re driving.

“If you are scared, you should take some easy precautions to keep the creepy crawlies out of your vehicle. Thankfully, there are quite a few things spiders don’t like, including citrus fruits like lemon.

“Start out by giving your car a good clean and taking out anything a spider could hide under. Then, cut a lemon in half and rub it around your window frames and doors. For added protection, cut up the skin and leave the rinds in the footwell by your door.”

This trick can save you up to £2,500, 9 points on your license and a potential accident from a fear-induced panic caused by a spider.

Aimee added, “Another tip is to properly clean out your doors. Spiders can squeeze through small gaps and will often go for the doors, so regular cleaning can stop them from crawling from your door jamb into your car.

“Other scents like vinegar, tea tree oil and peppermint are on the list of things spiders don’t like, so they can help if you’re desperate. They also have an aversion to conkers. You could try adding one in each footwell to help.”

“Whilst driving, you need to be able to pay attention all the time. It may seem silly that a spider can lead to such hefty fines, but we need to take every precaution to ensure we’re able to drive safely.”