close
close

Car expert warns doing this to your car could land you a £1,000 fine

Car expert warns doing this to your car could land you a £1,000 fine

Motorists could find themselves in further trouble if they wrap blue flashing lights around their vehicle.

This could be considered impersonating an ambulance, police car or other emergency service vehicle, which is against the law.

Experts at Family car deals explained: “Decorating your car for Christmas may seem like fun, but some accessories carry hidden risks.

“The trendy LED interior lights, bought almost three million times, could breach UK lighting regulations if incorrectly installed, leading to a £1,000 penalty.”

Only white lights are allowed at the front of a car, red lights only at the rear.

Meanwhile, LED lights must not cause discomfort or dazzle other road users, as this could pose a safety risk.

Additional lighting installed inside a car should not flash as this could significantly distract other road users.

However, experts warn it’s not just LED lighting that could give motorists a headache this Christmas, with other decorations also posing a risk.

Family Car Deals added: “Another holiday favorite, seat belt covers, rank seventh in popularity with more than two million sales and pose a surprising safety risk.

“Oversized plush models, while comfortable, can compromise the positioning of seat belts, making them less effective in a crash and increasing the risk of injury.

“For parents, unbranded car seats sold on Temu pose an even bigger problem. Despite their commercial appeal, these uncertified seats, of which 293 have been sold, do not meet the UK’s essential safety standards, exposing toddlers are at serious risk in the event of an accident.

“The findings remind us that it is especially critical to prioritize safety over style or savings during the busy holiday travel period.”