Marking 70 years of reign, the whole of the UK is preparing for a long bank holiday weekend to mark the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
With Union Jacks plastered everywhere – from window banners to cupcake frostings – it’s clear that the British are going all out for this party.
Over the years, many people have become accustomed to showing their enthusiasm and support for any royal event in many ways, one of which includes decorating their vehicle.
With a four-day weekend, countless street parties and official events, including Trooping the Color and Party at the Palace – the nation really seems to be gearing up for this one (pun intended).
While many would settle for a Union Jack bumper sticker or a red, white and blue steering wheel cover, others want to go all out for the occasion.
However, some car decorations can impose a costly fine on drivers in addition to points on their driver’s license.
According to Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the driver must always be able to “have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle”.
If broken, drivers can be fined £100 on the spot, which could increase in increments up to £1,000.
And it’s just for your own car.
If one of your decorations falls from your vehicle and obstructs the road for other drivers, you could be charged with driving without reasonable regard for other road users and fined up to £2,500.
Along with the potential penalties, Scrap Car Comparison has put together a little guide on how to stay safe on the road for the upcoming Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
The first tip warns drivers: “Do not place decorations near the front or rear of the vehicle”, to ensure a clear view of the road ahead.
The second pointer reminds vehicle decorators to “securely attach decorations” to reduce the risk of falling objects while driving and distracting others.
“Think about size,” the guide adds, with encouragement to opt for smaller, less obtrusive decorations.
And finally, “check your insurance” to find out if decorative items are considered car modifications or not.
The Managing Director of Scrap Car Comparison commented on the matter, saying: “While it’s always good to get in the spirit, and it may seem fun and harmless to have a flag appear on your car, the consequences of any badly handled decoration can potentially be incredibly harsh – both in terms of fines and points, but also physically in the event of a collision.
“We wouldn’t want people to miss out on the fun or deter them from celebrating in the best possible way, but we do encourage reading the car decoration tips to ensure they are used safely,” a- he concluded.
To celebrate the milestone of the Queen becoming the first British monarch to achieve a platinum jubilee after 70 years of service, thousands of people will celebrate the occasion over the four-day weekend from June 2-5.
