With Valentines day coming up it is important to remember to follow the rules. Compare market’s motor insurance experts have laid out driving offenses which loved-up motorists might unwittingly commit.

Motorists who leave their car engines running when picking up their love could be slapped with an £80 fine for “stationary idling”, under rule 123 of the Highway Code. If you are wanting to shower your valentine in lavish gifts such as big heart balloons risk getting a £1000.00 fine if anything blocks the view.

The same £1,000 fine could be handed out to couples who wear clothes affecting their ability to drive, under rule 97 of the Highway Code.This includes high heels, flowing dresses or blindfolds, all of which can interfere with reaction times on the road. Also if you can’t walk properly in those 6 inch heels then you have to consider if you can drive in them, but beware if you need to take them off maybe carry a spare pair of shoes in your boot as driving barefoot could also land you in trouble.

Whilst driving resist the urge to take a selfie or you could risk a £1,000 fine! Another temptation whilst driving could be the temptation to hold hands whilst driving, Rule 160 of the Highway Code states that drivers should drive with both hands on the wheel and avoid all distractions.

Even if frisky drivers avoid a prison sentence, they could be given an unlimited fine, a driving disqualification or anywhere between 3 and 11 points.

Needless to say, couples should also steer clear of drink-driving this Valentine’s Day.

Julie Daniels, a motor insurance expert at comparison site Compare The Market, told the Daily Record: “With all the extra excitement and anticipation of the most romantic day of the year, some drivers might find themselves getting distracted behind the wheel.

“However, it’s incredibly important that they are following the rules of the road and practicing safe driving not only avoid fines, but to keep themselves and their date safe.

“Make sure any gifts or balloons do not impact your view of the road, that your outfit or shoes won’t hinder your ability to control the vehicle, and that you either choose the romantic music before you set off, or let your date play DJ.

“And above all else, keep your eyes on the road and don’t get distracted by trying to impress your date.”

Whilst driving avoiding bus lanes is always top priority for motorists to avoid being given a fine, but motorists have been caught of guard by a confusing bus lane in Clapham Common in South West London.

The bus lane has been the talk of the town, having been the cause of more than 15,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) since october 2021, totaling up to an outstanding £1.9 million in fines! Since being made permanent in 2000, Clapham Park Road bus lane is thought to of brought in an estimated £6million in fines.

Richard Newell, appealed his fine and won, after he was caught turning into the bus lane. Local drivers have stated that the signs warning drivers not to use the bus lane to turn left are unclear. Motorists have claimed there is an arrow marked on the road that urges them to use it.

The fine being issued for early payment is £65 rising to £130.00, It means Lambeth Council has pocketed between £985,075 and in excess of £1.9 million, a Freedom of Information request shows. With March 2022 being the highest issuing for fines.

An AA spokesperson said these kind of lanes are “scary” as they’re expected to be rolled out across the UK.

“It is beggars belief that, after all these years of driver protests and traffic penalty tribunal adjudicators allowing appeals because the junction layout and signage is flawed, this bus lane continues to trap so many drivers,” they added.

“When is the local authority going to accept that motorists don’t throw themselves like lemmings into bus lanes for the ‘joy’ of getting a fine in a cost of living crisis?

“Probably never, because it’s such a nice big earner for the council.

“This year, adjudicators have again condemned this bus lane and, clearly, enforcement with poor signage isn’t fair or doing its job in keeping the lane free for buses – simply because it is issuing so many fines.

“I suspect the locals are very aware of what they should do at this junction but, for anyone coming from outside the area and unfamiliar with the road, it’s a potential nightmare.

“The adjudicator’s concern about how well the warning signs show up at night is a problem the AA has seen with other London bus lanes that have turned into fines’ magnets.

“What really scares the AA and drivers is that this type and quality of enforcement is now being rolled out to councils across England.”

The lane is signposted with filter lights for buses, cabs and bikes – which some could find confusing.

However, a spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “Our bus lanes are clearly marked and comply with all regulations and standards.

“People who illegally drive in bus lanes cause delays to bus passengers and other commuters.

“We regularly check our signs and road markings where we enforce using CCTV to ensure we are compliant, and the vast majority of motorists who use Lambeth roads every day do so without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

“The bus lane in Clapham Park Road is clearly marked and complies with all regulations and standards.

“However, if a motorist feels that he or she has been issued with a ticket unfairly they are able to challenge it and we have an independent appeal process.”

Beccy at Briannia says:

This Bus lane sounds very confusing and causing lots of problems for not only local residents but visitor mainly.

Are you driving home for Christmas? Maybe your going away or collecting relatives? In the days leading up to Christmas the roads will be inevitably busy, if you are driving around the Christmas period here are some helpful tips to help keep it a stress free and safe time for all.

Planning out your journey and checking local travel news to check for any accidents or unforeseen things that may impact your journey. Planning your routes will help you save time and get to your destination on time and hassle free.The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic on a dark and cold Christmas eve!

If you are going to be enjoying a few Christmas drinks, make sure you are sober enough to drive the next morning,Whether it’s OK to drive the next morning depends on a lot of different factors, including how much you drank and if you’ve left enough time for your body to get rid of the alcohol.The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on a few things, including the amount you take in, over what period of time and the speed at which your body gets rid of it.

Even if you feel sober enough you may not be, you must ensure that you have left a long enough gap between when you had your last alcoholic drink to getting behind the wheel.

We have already had some ice and snow this winter and we all know the Great British weather can be unpredictable most times, during periods of snow and ice it is best to only travel if absolutely necessary. Make sure you have a de-icer in your vehicle in case you need to clear your windscreen before leaving. An ice scraper would also be useful for this alongside new wiper blades to ensure a clear view when driving.

Driving in the dark can be tricky, especially around Christmas time in cold conditions. Make sure all of your car lights are working before setting off on your journey to ensure other drivers can see you. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the car in front, especially in icy conditions.

If you are not planning on traveling over the Christmas period it is best to check on your vehicle, switch on your engine and let it tick over for a while. This way you reduce the risk of your car not starting when you need it.  If you have a garage its a good idea to keep your car inside to help protect the windscreen.

Whilst out shopping for presents remember to always take your presents in with you, don’t leave them in your car especially where they are visible to opportunists! If you need to store them in your car for any reason, keep them in your boot covered and locked.

Drivers could face a £100 on the spot fine and 3 points on their license for layering up winter clothes!

When temperatures plummet it is tempting to layer up to help us keep warm, but it is very important to not bundle up too much as that can restrict your movement whilst driving. The car experts at Confused.com have warned that you could face a fine and points on your license if they prevent you from using the controls properly. Long scarves and oversized scarfs could be the culprits which end you hot water.Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Road accidents can often be more common during the winter months because of the bad weather, density of traffic and difficult road conditions. It’s extremely important to ensure your vehicle is ready for the winter months, to make sure you are driving as safely as possible.

“No matter the weather, there are scenarios when your insurer may not pay out on an accident. Your car insurance should cover you in all weather conditions, but they may not pay out if you’ve broken a traffic offence which has caused an accident or failed to maintain your vehicle. For peace of mind, you should check the list of significant exclusions and limitations on your car insurance policy before setting off.”

You must stay within the highwaycode rules, as rule 97 stipulates “Drivers must wear footwear and clothing which does not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.”

If you are in an accident you could be deemed as driving without care and attention, which would land you £100+ plus 3 points on your license.

Some tips to stay warm whilst driving:

• Park in a garage if you have one
• Park your vehicle near a wall or inside a carport or garage. Anything that blocks the wind helps to keep the engine warm.
• Cover your vehicle with a full-sized car cover overnight or a windshield.
• Check your heating is working to its full capacity.
• Give yourself time to heat your car up before you set off, turn the heating on in your car to warm it up 10 mins before you set off.
• Consider purchasing a in car heated cushion.
• Bring a flask with a hot drink for when you are stuck in traffic or at traffic lights.
• Have a hot meal before you leave.

Kerry at Britannia says:

“As someone who is always cold, i would say following the advice above would most definitely offer some warmth during the winter months. But most importantly making sure your control of the car is not obstructed whilst driving is of upmost importance, you can always take warmer items with you for when you get to your destination and store them in the boot or backseat etc.”

Drivers may soon need a permit to drive through Oxford if drastic new plans go ahead. The strict plans have been slated by motorists, who would be capped at just 100 days of travel through the city a year. Oxfordshire county council proposes to keep track of city residents through automatic number plate recognition. Up to three permits will be issued per household, only residents within Oxford will be able to apply for one.

The limits would run between 7am-7pm, £70 fines will be issued for motorists without a permit. This rule would apply to all vehicles except buses, coaches, vans, lorries, emergency services, blue badge holders and care workers.

The council plans to make a decision whether to implement the permits next month. This has caused quite a stir amongst motorists who have branded the idea “ridiculous”.But Robin Tucker, the chair of Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, recently defended the councils plans. He told the BBC ” Currently our buses are slower than a horse and cart, our city doesn’t feel safe enough to get around. ”

“We need to see measures including traffic filters, a clean air zone and ways to encourage people away from commuting by car so we can all move freely and get where we want to go.”

The county council’s website says the plans are “designed to reduce traffic, make bus journeys faster and make walking and cycling safer.

“When they are operating, private cars will not be allowed through the traffic filters without a permit.”

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said the filters will aim “to reduce the need to travel in private cars and make walking, cycling and public transport the natural first choice.”

Respondents were also asked about plans to expand the Zero Emissions Zone, and 69% were in favour, with 23% against.

Rebecca at Britannia said:

” Permits can help reduce traffic flow and help residents move more freely around there home town, but also could be problematic for other road users. I’m sure whatever decision is made it wont be made lightly and all motorists will be considered.