Drivers face £1,000 fines for air freshener rule that 'seems silly'
Drivers have been warned they face £1,000 fines for a rule that seems "silly". Drivers behind the wheel of a car with a limited view can face a fine of up to £1,000, three licence points, and complications from their insurer, including an invalidation in extreme cases.
Pete Ridley, vehicle financing expert at Car Finance Saver, said: "Insurance companies are particular about what they consider 'safe' and 'risky,' and sometimes what we consider harmless falls into the latter category. It seems silly, but visibility is a priority for insurers so keep the decoration on your dashboard to a minimum so you don’t get caught out."
He continued: "If it wasn't in the original vehicle design, insurers want to know. Otherwise, it could lead to claims being invalidated as even minor changes could be perceived as increasing risk." According to the Highway Code, drivers of a vehicle featuring an item more than 4cm in size blocking their view of the road or pavement could face a fine of between £200 and £2,500.
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Jake Smith, Director at Absolute Reg, warned that many items commonly fitted to vehicle windscreens could be illegal if they block the driver's view of the road. He advised: "Many of us drivers are not aware that anything on our windscreen could be putting us and other road users in danger. But anything that is obstructing the view of the road ahead is deemed illegal and against the Highway Code.
"It's best to remove things like stickers and air fresheners from the front and rear windscreen, and ensure that dashcams and phone holders aren't obstructing the line of sight." Jake added: "Even small chips to the windscreen could impact your view of the traffic ahead.
"Get any damage seen to immediately to avoid being penalised or causing an accident."