Drivers slapped with £2,500 fines for 'exceeding' little-known 'capacity' rule

Drivers have been slapped with £2,500 fines for "exceeding" the limit while in their car this September. More parents than ever are facing the stress of helping their children make it to campus as the new university term begins nationwide.

To assist, award-winning temporary car and van insurance experts at GoShorty are warning drivers to avoid several costly mistakes during the big move. Andy Moody, Founder and Managing Director at GoShorty, said: “Helping your not-so-young-one move to University can be a stressful upheaval, least of all trying to pack up their treasured belongings in the car - or even borrowing a van - for the trip!

"While we’re sure parents keep their eyes on the road and drive safely, some lesser-known rules of the road could land you in trouble if you’re not aware of them. Even though it’s tempting to push the capacity of your vehicle to make it to University in one go, a simple error like overpacking could land you with a fine of £100 to £2,500, or even invalidate your insurance. Don’t risk it - if you’re taking everything but the kitchen sink, use our handy temporary van insurance to borrow a bigger vehicle to transport all of their belongings safely instead.

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"Although getting your future graduate to campus is a top priority, safety should always be number one, so make sure you don’t neglect these rules of the road when Universities open again...” Even though you may be in a rush, it’s important to ensure the safety of yourself and anyone else in the car. Failure to wear a seatbelt can land you with three penalty points and a fine of up to £500.

The Road Traffic Act of 1988 deliberately targets careless and inconsiderate drivers, stating the following: “If a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an offence.”

Driving without proper footwear can be classed as not having control of the vehicle. Even though it’s convenient to quickly throw on some flip-flops or sandals on your way out - especially if you’re being pestered to get on the road ASAP - this kind of footwear could get stuck under the pedal leading you to lose control of the vehicle- potentially leading to a £100 fine and points on your licence.

The sun may be shining during the back-to-uni period, meaning you should prioritise keeping a clear view of the road ahead. Sunshine can hinder your ability to drive safely, failure to have a clear view of the road could lead to 11 penalty points and fines of up to £5,000! To avoid this, take advantage of your sun visor, or wear a proper pair of sunglasses, to keep you and your family safe.

Moody added: “Keeping the rules of the road in mind is important at all times, so you can avoid a nasty fine or mark on your driving record, which is the last thing you need during a stressful day. Although moving to University can make for a hectic, GoShorty can make the journey easier with our temporary van insurance. This easy-to-use, flexible type of insurance lets you borrow a van for a few hours, a day, or for however long you need up to 28 days! This means you can avoid making errors such as overpacking your car and it could help to make the big day a little less stressful!”