Drivers could face a ghoulish fine this Hallowe'en if they don't abide by certain rules.
Many people may have plans to head out in fancy dress over the spooky season, but it might be wise to pop your costume in a bag and get dressed at the venue if you're driving. Wearing clothing such as scary masks and ghoulish cloaks while driving could breach the Highway Code and lead to a hefty fine plus points on your licence, reported Essex Live.
CEO at temporary insurance company Veygo James Armstrong has issued a warning to drivers over the dangers of driving in a Hallowe'en costume and how it could breach the Highway Code. If caught, you could face up to a £5,000 fine and points on your licence.
READ MORE: Drivers wearing warm clothing behind wheel can face fines of up to £5,000
Gloves are the first item of clothing that could put drivers in breach of the code, as they could significantly loosen their grip on the steering wheel. A long witchy skirt or dress could get caught in the pedals, leading to an accident. Meanwhile, shoes such as high heels can limit your ankle movement, while chunky boots might get in the way of other pedals in your footwell.
If you’re caught breaking Rule 97 of the Highway Code, which states drivers must ensure their clothing and footwear don't prevent them from correctly using controls, you could be fined an initial £100 fine and three penalty points for careless driving. But if the incident goes to court, you could face a £5,000 fine, nine points and a driving ban.
Coloured contact lenses, tinted glasses and scary masks are popular at Halloween, but if you can't see the road properly, especially if driving at night, you could be endangering yourself and other road users. According to Rule 92, drivers must be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres.
Meanwhile, Rule 94 says that at night, or in poor visibility, drivers shouldn't use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict their vision. Therefore, wearing anything that limits your eyesight could result in a charge for 'failure to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead' and a £1,000 fine or three points on your licence.
And while it might be your goal to shake up a few of your closest friends, spooking another driver could be deemed distracting and against section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as careless and inconsiderate driving.
Hallowe'en night will be busier than usual on the roads and pavements especially in residential areas as trick-or-treaters head out to stock up on sweets. Drivers are recommended to slow down and be extra vigilant, paying extra attention to groups of children who may be distracted and people dressed in black costumes that make them difficult to see in the dark.
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