Warning as motorists could face £5,000 fine for wearing everyday clothes when driving

UNSUSPECTING drivers could face a huge £5,000 fine - just for wearing everyday clothes while behind the wheel.

Items such as oversized trousers and longer dresses could land you with an on-the-spot fine of £100.

If that wasn't bad enough you could also receive three penalty points if stopped by the police wearing certain items - including sunglasses.

Worryingly, these fines can rise to £5,000, plus nine points on your licence and even a possible driving ban if the case goes to court.

The issue centres around whether any clothing or accessories you're wearing while driving could reduce your ability to properly control the car - particularly in an emergency situation.

If it is deemed that you had restricted movement while driving, which in turn led to an element of dangerous driving or perhaps prevented you from driving safely, then you could be liable for a penalty.

As a result, drivers are being urged to familiarise themselves with rule 97 in the Highway Code.

The rule states drivers must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner".

So, maybe think twice if you're getting behind the wheel in a pair of baggy trousers - because they could get tangled on the break or clutch pedals.

And, if that leads to an accident, you will be charged by police with careless driving and face huge fines.

Other everyday items in the firing line include Maxi dresses which could get caught underneath the pedals and lead to a nasty accident.

And don't even think about sliding into a pair of flip flops before hitting the open road, because the rule states clearly shoes with a sole less than 10mm thick are “unsafe” to drive in.

High heels will also leave you teetering towards a nasty fine as well, despite around 40 per-cent of women admitting to driving in them.

But high heels are not practical for pushing down the pedals as the heel can get wedged underneath.

This can also prevent drivers from pushing the pedal all the way down which is vital when breaking in an emergency.

Chunky boots can also lead to a big chunk coming out your bank account - because while these might look ideal, they can result in the driver touching more than one pedal at once.

Instead, motorists have been advised to keep a pair of suitable driving shoes in the car.

Alastair Grier, managing director of , said: “If you are planning on driving somewhere where the dress code is smart, we recommend you take a change of sensible shoes for the car ride."

Mr Grier recommended choosing footwear that is “narrow enough” to touch pedals individually.

Sunglasses with lenses that are too dark or chunky frames will also cast a shadow over your finances if you're caught in an inappropriate pair while driving.

Because while they are an essential eye protection accessory, some styles can restrict vision while driving.

Some lenses might be tinted too dark and restrict daylight vision on the road while bulky frames can cause a blind spot.

Therefore drivers have been advised to test them out first or stick to using built-in car sun visors.