With the nation cheering on the England squad in the EURO 2024 tournament, many people will be feeling rightfully patriotic and ready to celebrate.
However, celebrating EURO wins in the car could actually lead to some hefty fines.
With searches for ‘England car flags’ soaring 319%, putting any football merchandise on your vehicle could land you with a hefty fine.
The Highway Code states that “windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”. This means that while England flags might seem like a great idea, they can actually block a driver’s view of the road.
While it’s not actually illegal to drive with England merchandise on cars, drivers will be breaking the law if their view of the road is blocked in any way. This rule doesn’t just apply to England flags, merchandise hanging from the rear-view mirror can also cause obstructions of view and be the reason for potential road accidents.
Drivers could face an on-the-spot fine of £100, but if this is taken to court, the fine could be increased to £1,000 if an accident occurs while driving with obstructed vision.
If running late to the beer garden or stuck in traffic this summer, football fans may be tempted to play a football match on their phone while driving. However, this would be a huge mistake.
Watching the EURO 2024 matches while driving could result in a £1,000 fine this summer and a potential 6 points on your licence.
“It’s important to never let the football matches get in the way of remaining safe and alert while driving. Keep football merchandise away from the car to avoid obstructions and never use a mobile phone behind the wheel.”
Drivers must be careful not to cause distractions in the car. Fans may be tempted to beep their car horn if England scores, however, Rule 112 of the Highway Code states that horns should only be used to warn another road user of a driver’s presence - the illegal use of a horn could result in a £1,000 fine if taken to court.
Singing chants and football songs could also break Rule 148 of the Highway Code due to careless driving, so be extra careful when celebrating in the car.
If you’re the designated driver for the EURO 2024, ensure your passengers are not distracting you from the road. Drivers can be handed fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points for driving without due care and attention or distracted driving.
