Those wrapping up warm for autumn or planning to drive to a fancy dress party this Halloween are being warned that doing so could breach the Highway Code and result in heavy fines.
James Armstrong, CEO at temporary insurance company Veygo, has detailed the dangers of driving in a Halloween costume or clothes such as gloves which could land you with fines of up to £5,000 if you're caught violating driving guidelines.
This spooky season, drivers should be aware of rules 92, 94 and 97 of the Highway Code before hitting the road, as well as section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Clothes that we usually store away during the summer months can significantly impact driving safety. Gloves could make your grip significantly looser on the steering wheel, or a long skirt or dress could get caught in the pedals.
While chunky boots help keep your feet warm, they might block other pedals in your footwell. Similarly, if your costume calls for high heels or clunky platforms, they could also impact ankle movement, reports Wales Online.
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. To be safe, put your outfit in the boot and change into it when you get to the party.
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.
Halloween 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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