Little-known law during festival season could see drivers fined up to £5,000

Summer is here and thousands of Brits will be looking to grab their cars and head across the country to make the most of the sunshine. Among them are festival-goers, music lovers who trek across the country to see their favorite bands and artists.

Before setting off, drivers should be aware of the legal issues they may face. From sleeping a night of partying in your car to wearing inappropriate footwear such as flip-flops, every seemingly innocent choice can lead to huge fines and penalties under the updated Highway Code.

Being in your car while he’s drunk

Drivers should be aware that sleeping in a car while drunk is illegal. Recent changes to the Highway Code emphasize that being in a vehicle while intoxicated in a public place, even without the intention of driving, attracts severe penalties. Offenders could face up to nine points on their licence, a driving ban, an unlimited fine or even imprisonment for up to three months.

Being in your car while he’s drunk

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, sleeping in a car while intoxicated can lead to severe penalties. Even if you do not intend to drive the vehicle, you can be prosecuted for driving a vehicle while over the limit in a public place. Our advice would be to stay on the festival site until you are sober and can legally be in charge of your vehicle.

Drive while singing/dancing and listening to loud music

Dancing behind the wheel is an example of driving without due care and attention, contravening Rule 160 of the Highway Code, which requires drivers to be in control of their vehicle at all times. In severe cases, it can lead to dangerous driving charges. Penalties can be severe, affecting your license and your wallet, as fines for distracted driving, including dancing, can reach up to £5,000.

Similarly, Rule 148 of the Highway Code emphasizes the importance of concentration while driving to ensure safety. Driving with loud music that causes distraction falls under the category of careless and inconsiderate driving. Offenders can face an unlimited fine and between 3 and 9 license penalty points, reflecting the seriousness of the offence.

Drive while tired

Driving when excessively tired presents significant dangers and is classified as dangerous driving under the Highway Code. It is essential for drivers planning a festival trip to prioritize rest beforehand and avoid getting behind the wheel if they feel tired. Penalties for dangerous driving can include an unlimited fine, a driving ban and up to 14 years in prison, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Driving a taxi without a license

Many may not think this is a common practice, but people pose as taxi drivers during big events. This is a serious offense which can lead to substantial fines of up to £2,500 and immediate insurance invalidation. It’s not the passengers’ fault if they don’t recognize an unlicensed taxi, but there are a few things you can look for, such as a plate on the back of the vehicle that shows their taxi license number and the area they’re licensed for. .”

A taxi can be pre-booked from anywhere, but can only be hailed in the area where they are authorized. Remember that arranging to round up your friends and asking for a contribution towards gas money is fine, but posing as a taxi driver for strangers is not. .

Driving with hay fever

Drivers experiencing severe hay fever or affected by allergy medication must comply with Highway Code Rule 90, which requires all drivers to be fit to drive a vehicle. Ignoring this rule could result in an unlimited fine, a discretionary disqualification and 3-9 careless driving penalty points, significantly impacting their journey to the festival.

Driving with inappropriate footwear:

Driving in wellington boots may seem harmless, but can be legally problematic if they prevent proper use of the pedals. Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, this could lead to fines of up to £1,000 or even discretionary disqualification. According to Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers must ensure that their footwear does not impede their ability to operate the vehicle’s controls effectively. Driving in flip-flops, which can prevent the pedals from being used correctly, could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 penalty points for failing to maintain proper vehicle control.

According to Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers must ensure that their footwear does not impede their ability to operate the vehicle’s controls effectively. Driving in flip-flops or water boots may seem harmless, but it can hinder the use of the pedal. This could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 penalty points.