Drivers warned they face £5,000 fine for little-known clothing rule

DRIVERS have been warned that they face a £5,000 fine for breaking a little-known clothing rule.

With Halloween on the way, getting dressed up this weekend could land you in hot water with the law.

While fancy dress is a beloved and time-honoured tradition of the holiday, there are potential issues to be found in the Highway Code.

Rule 97 states: “You should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.”

Explaining what this means for ghoulish partygoers, Tim Alcock from told : “When behind the wheel, it is important drivers have full control and concentration to ensure the safety of themselves and other road users. 

“Lots of people enjoy getting into the spirit of Halloween by dressing up and decorating, but this can have a serious impact on driving abilities. 

“To avoid risking a hefty fine, drivers should be extremely cautious and avoid getting in the spooky spirit until safely parked.”

According to Tim, this would prohibit wearing costumes that restrict your movement or vision, such as masks, bedsheets or Freddy Krueger-style gloves.

If a creepy getup is found to be the cause of dangerous driving or even a collision, you could find yourself in the dock.

A charge of driving without due care and attention carries a maximum fine of £5,000, along with 9 penalty points on your licence.

Even if you aren’t prosecuted, you could still be slapped with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points.

Tim added: “Before setting off, drivers should consider how outfits may prevent quick reactions to potential hazards.

“For instance, gloves could make the grip significantly looser on the steering wheel, or a long dress could get caught in the pedals.”

As such, it’s always best to drive to your destination first before getting all Chucky the Doll’d up

Finally, Tim warned against dressing up as a cop for a Halloween Prank.

While police-themed costumes are legal, anything too convincing could risk jail time for impersonating an officer.

It comes after the RAC revealed a handy hack to keep your car in order this winter using only old socks.

Meanwhile, motorists were warned over speeding without realising due to a dangerous issue.