Royal fans face £2,500 fines if they decorate their cars with too much memorabilia

Royal fans risk fines of £2,500, a trip to court and possible driving bans if they decorate their cars too enthusiastically to celebrate this weekend’s coronation.

As King Charles III is anointed in a solemn ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, Google searches for “coronation decorations” have increased 313 percent in the past three months.

Patriotic Britons try to decorate their homes and gardens with pennants, flags and royal memorabilia ahead of the big weekend.

But those looking to decorate their cars have been warned that the strict traffic rules could see drivers being taken to court for breaking the law.

According to the automotive experts at Scrap Car Comparison, improperly mounted decorations can violate Rule 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations of 1986, which states that a driver must have “a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle” . .

Motorists planning to decorate their cars with royal memorabilia have been warned they could face prosecution if the items obscure their view from their windscreens or pose a danger to pedestrians or other road users

This means that items fitted to the dashboard or windscreen could incur a fine of £100 on the spot, or even a fine of £1,000 if taken to court. Motorists also risk a three-point endorsement on their driver’s license, which can lead to higher insurance premiums.

Anything blocking the swept area of ​​the windshield from 290mm above the centerline of the steering wheel may result in prosecution. This includes not only royal memorabilia, but also items such as dashcams, mobile phone holders and navigation systems. Such obstacles may not exceed 10 mm of the area covered by the wipers.

Even worse, items mounted outside the vehicle that fall into the path of other vehicles can lead to prosecution for negligent driving – with an on the spot fine of £100 and three penalty points, increasing to a £2,500 fine and disqualification in the most serious cases.

Motorists can also run into problems with their car insurance, as protection can be withdrawn if they are not notified of any changes. Modifying a car can lead to additional risks that the insurance company will want to evaluate. Failure to advise an insurer prior to a planned change – even if temporary – may result in cancellation of the policy.

David Kottaun, operations manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said motorists should be careful their patriotic expressions don’t lead to legal trouble.

He said: ‘Do not place decorations near the front or rear of the vehicle – the most important thing is to make sure you have a clear view of the road and other vehicles at all times while on the road, so make sure your decorations block your view from the front or rear of the vehicle, or other key positions.

Motorists have been told to notify their insurance company of any changes before driving as this could result in their policy being cancelled, leaving them without cover and at risk of prosecution

King Charles III, pictured leaving Windsor for London, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. Motorists have been advised to temper their enthusiasm as decorating their cars could put them at risk of prosecution

“Stick decorations tight – before you leave, check that your decorations are secure and won’t fall while moving.”

Mr Kottaun also warned that major awards are more likely to lead to problems and stressed the need to notify insurance companies of anything that could be classed as a ‘change’.

He also said placing a mascot, emblem or object where it is “likely to hit a person with whom the vehicle may collide” could result in a fine or prosecution.

Mr Kottaun continued: ‘By no means do we want people to miss out on fun, or for people to not get in the mood, but as we’ve seen over the years with football tournaments and more recently with the Platinum Jubilee, there could be some risks if it’s all about giving your car the royal treatment.

“Getting landed with a fine, penalty points or having your insurance voided due to poorly managed decorations is a surefire way to sour the festivities, so we hope road users are careful about whatever they have planned. That way everyone can enjoy the fun during the holiday weekend, without costly hiccups’.