While many look forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve with colourful displays, drivers are being warned that if they aren’t careful, they could risk a fine of up to £1,000 and up to six driving licence penalty points.
Richard Evans, spokesperson for webuyanycar, the UK’s go-to online car-buying service, explains why drivers could be at risk this New Year’s Eve and shares tips for avoiding fines and penalties:
“The government’s ‘Fireworks: Be Safe, Not Sorry’ campaign advises motorists to keep their vehicles well away from fireworks display areas ahead of New Year’s Eve, ideally allowing a dropping zone distance of at least 100m x 50m. This ensures that debris from the fireworks does not settle on the windows and mirrors, impairing the driver’s vision.
“British drivers have a legal requirement to make sure that their vehicle is safe to drive at all times. Therefore, it is up to drivers to take precautions around New Year’s Eve to protect their windscreens from any debris.
“Cars parked at home are no exception, especially after research suggests seven per cent of Brits host their own firework display (around 4.6 million people).* Even if you think you are keeping your car at a safe distance from public displays, your vehicle may still be at risk of collecting debris. Failure to comply with the legal requirement to keep your vehicle safe for driving can result in a fine of £1,000.
“Another way of preventing debris from hitting your car windows is to keep them covered. This can be done using car window shades or visors that sit on the outside of the car. Alternatively, keep your vehicle sheltered or in a garage.
“If you’re planning to host a New Year’s Eve celebration, be careful when carrying fireworks in the back of your vehicle, as failure to transport fireworks properly can result in a fine of £300 and up to 6 penalty points on your licence. You must consult with your insurance provider before driving with over 56kg of fireworks. If you are covered, remember that taking safety measures like keeping the fireworks dry and never leaving them unattended is still a must.”
Tips for keeping your car clean and safe
When cleaning the windscreen, use a specialised window cleaner or polish; household window cleaner works fine as well.
Wipe with a microfibre cloth in a circular motion, overlapping and changing direction periodically to ensure the entire area is covered.
Don’t forget the side and rear car windows; you need to be able to see out of these as well.
Before setting off for your New Year’s Eve celebrations, make sure that your car has plenty of washer fluid to wipe away any debris on the drive home.