October driving rule you MUST follow or risk £5k fine – millions of drivers have no clue but ‘ignorance is no defence’
DRIVERS face a hefty £5,000 fine or could even be banned if they break this October driving rule and millions of drivers are unaware of it.
Motorists could be given a very nasty fright if they are caught behind the wheel while wearing a fancy dress outfit for the spookiest night of the year.
Anyone caught taking to the road in a Halloween outfit could face the bone-chilling fine – and pleading ignorance is no defence, a motoring expert said.
Majid Ismailzada, Marketing Director & Motoring Expert at GM Direct Hire said: “Breaking the rules of the road is not a trifling matter, even on Halloween.
“Ignorance is not a defence.”
“If you’re pulled over, expect to face the consequences – in some cases, that can include steep fines.”
Under the Highway Code, Rule 90 says your vision mustn’t be obstructed while driving.
Costumes, that particularly include a mask or an elaborate headpiece, can often reduce visibility and increase the likelihood of an accident on the road.
Meanwhile, Rule 97 of the Highway Code states drivers must ensure their clothing and footwear don’t prevent them from correctly using controls.
Long, flowing costumes, capes or unwieldy footwear could possibly interfere with your ability to safely stay in control of your vehicle.
Seatbelts must also be worn at all times when driving, which comes under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
So you could fall foul of this law if your costume comes with bulky accessories or rigid parts that could interfere with proper use of a seatbelt, which could also potentially get you a big fine.
The experts at GM Direct Hire say: “It isn’t about eschewing the holiday spirit – it’s about merging it with road safety.”
While the scale of fines can vary, drivers though can usually expect a fine of up to £100 for not wearing a seatbelt and up to £1,000 for driving without proper control of the vehicle, and up to £1,000 for driving with obscured vision.
Majid said: “Halloween may inspire some fun, but while you’re out enjoying the festivities in costume, don’t forget to prioritise road safety.
“These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.”
The most recent driving licence changes
The law changed on October 5
The major change to hit Jersey could impact 68,219 cars and vans on the island, as counted in a 2021 census.
Both Group 1 and Group 2 licence holders will be affected.
Group 1, the typical driver’s licence, will not face as serious changes as Group 2, for heavy goods vehicles and buses.
If you require a medical certificate to prove you’re fit to drive, the medical certificate will only be necessary if a certain condition is declared to your parish.
However, Group 2 licence holders will need an extra two medical tests in their lifetime.
At the moment, Group 2 only requires medicals at 45, 55 and 65 years of age.
But now, there will be two more at 50 and 60.
Significant changes are also happening for vision standards in both licence-holder groups.
An exam to measure how good your peripheral vision is added to the driver’s licence standard.
Plus the acuity test which measures the clarity of your vision has been updated.
Interestingly, more people might end up getting Group 2 licences – as diabetes, epilepsy, and seizure standards have also been updated.
If you passed your driver’s licence before 1997 and you have either a C1 or D1 on your licence, you are a holder of a Group 2 licence.
Should you not want or need this, it can be withdrawn.
If you change your mind you have five years to get it back.
Essentially, these changes will transform Jersey driver’s license standards in line with UK and EU law.
When choosing a costume it is also worth remembering that it is illegal to publicly dress up as a police officer, or any member of law enforcement
Drivers who do so may be hit with a hefty fine or even jail time under the Police Act 1996.
This includes using fake blue lights or sirens on vehicles – even if it is a Halloween prank.