Driving experts have issued a grave warning to motorists about the dangers of wearing a certain hair accessory behind the wheel.
Putting your hair in a plastic claw clip is a popular style choice, as it requires almost no effort and is a great way to hide locks that haven't been washed in a few days.
But wearing one whilst in a vehicle could result in a devastating injury if you get into an accident, as university student Jeena Panesar recently shared her horrific story about her collision earlier this year.
Following this, the driving experts at Scrap Car Comparison are warning motorists to remove everyday accessories and items - from lanyards and handbags to hair claw clips - before getting behind the wheel, in order to reduce the chance of injuries should they happen to be involved in an accident.
Thanks to TikTok, the popular 90s updo hairstyle of wearing a claw clip has seen a massive resurgence in popularity, with over 500 million views on TikTok for tutorials on how to wear the hairstyle.
But wearing the accessory behind the wheel could significantly increase the risk of injury if drivers were to be involved in a collision, warns the motoring experts.
Dan Gick, managing director of Scrap Car Comparison, said: "While a claw clip may look stylish - wearing the item while behind the wheel could lead to painful and debilitating injuries, should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in a collision.
"Because of the proximity to the head, and the many claws which these accessories are made up of, the hair grips could cause significant injuries to the skull, face and neck if you were to be involved in a crash - all injuries which could be avoided if you aren’t wearing one.
"If you prefer to have your hair up while driving, opt for a soft scrunchie or elastic hair tie which is strong enough to keep the hair out of your eyes while driving, but wouldn’t cause any additional damage if you were to suffer a crash."
The experts at Scrap Car Comparison are also warning against wearing other common accessories behind the wheel, including sunglasses and lanyards, for similar reasons.
Dan continued: "While no-one really wants to imagine themselves ending up in a vehicle collision, being a safe driver is all about minimising risk. For example if sunglasses were to fall down your face during a crash, they could do some real damage - with one famous example including actress Rose McGowan, whose sunglasses sliced into the skin under her eye in a road collision back in 2007.
"While sunglasses are a necessary wear on a hot day in order to avoid sun glare and light blindness, wearing glasses on top of your head for style purposes could leave you at an increased risk of injury should the worst happen.
"Lanyards can also significantly exacerbate the severity of injuries sustained during collisions, as a result of the accessory’s placement around your neck - as the fabric necklace could easily twist during an accident. Similarly, handbags with straps should also be removed from your body and placed either in a back seat or ideally the boot before getting behind the wheel, in order to minimise the chance of further injury.
"Remember you can always put your clips, sunnies and handbags back on once you’ve arrived at your end destination safe and sound - but it’s always better to prioritise safety over style when behind the wheel."
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