How festive fun could see drivers fined up to £5,000, from singing to collecting your tree

IT may be tempting to belt out Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas as you drive between parties and gatherings this festive season, but making your car too merry could land you with a £5,000 fine.

Here are the main festive fines to look out for on the road.

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Christmas celebrations don’t have to be limited to your home.

Many motorists enjoy a festive singalong while driving or may be tempted to make their seats or steering wheel sparkle with a bit of tinsel.

Research by Green Flag has found that many drivers are planning to decorate their car with additions such as red Rudolph noses and antlers, elf leg stickers and fake snow on the window.

Some are even planning to add festive fairy lights.

But its research found that many motorists are unware that making their car too festive could result in careless or dangerous driving charges.

It could also leave you with fines of up to £5,000, penalty points and even driving bans.

Here is how much you could be fined if your motor is too merry.

Christmas decorations – £5,000 fine

The main concern with Christmas decorations on or in your car is that they could potentially fall off and block your vision or get in the way of another motorist.

You could be charged with careless or dangerous driving if your decorations cause an accident.

This can mean fines of up to £5,000 as well as points on your licence or a driving ban.

Ice on the windows – £1,000 fine

Spraying fake ice or snow on your car windows may feel festive, but it can also be dangerous if it restricts your vision.

The Road Traffic Act states that “no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road if he is in such a position that he cannot … have a full view of the road and traffic ahead.”

Blocking your windscreen with snow or even tinsel or Santa figures could attract a maximum £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

Transporting a Christmas Tree – £100 to £5,000 fine

Be careful when picking up and bringing home your Christmas tree.

Make sure it is secure and isn’t blocking your vision or obstructing other drivers.

The Highway Code states that drivers must secure their load and items must not stick out dangerously.

Police can issue on-the-spot £100 fines if a Christmas tree isn’t properly secured and is endangering others.

If it falls off your roof and causes an accident, you could face a fine of up to £5,000 for “careless and inconsiderate” driving in addition to three penalty points.

Christmas songs – £100 to £5,000 fine

There are no fines for bad car singing, some may be pleased to hear.

But you can get in trouble if the volume of your music or car radio stops you or others from hearing hazards on the road.

Blasting your music as you singalong to Fairytale of New York could leave you with a “driving without due care and attention” or even a “dangerous driving” charge.

You could get a £100 fine if police believe you are driving carelessly and not paying attention while listening to loud music, rising to £5,000 fine and nine points on your licence if you cause an accident.