Drivers warned over £5,000 London Marathon fines on Sunday | UK | News
London Marathon observers are warned about general traffic rules for the event this weekend; these rules can lead to fines of between £270 and £5,000, depending on breach. For those looking to watch the popular race without facing heaps of fines, motoring experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have warned drivers of the most ‘common and bizarre’ reasons you could be fined for the London Marathon.
Stretching a full 26.2 miles, the London Marathon passes many of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. However, much of the route also falls within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Those hoping to get close to the action by car are advised to avoid areas such as Greenwich, City of London, City of Westminster and Southwark. Driving these parts of the route may result in a charge of £12.50 per day if your vehicle does not meet the required emissions standards. Failure to pay the fee may result in a fine of £180; If this penalty is not paid after 28 days, it will increase by 50%, bringing the total amount payable to £270.
If you’re about to run a marathon, you don’t want to have to walk miles to your car and you want to find parking as close as possible.
However, you should not settle for parking on the opposite side of the road. According to Rule 239 of the Highway Code, you cannot park your car against oncoming traffic at night or you could face a fine of up to £1,000, so make sure you get back to your car before dark.
After a long run, athletes may tend to take off their sneakers and put on more comfortable shoes, such as flip-flops and slippers. Although it is not illegal to drive in flip-flops or slippers, Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers must wear suitable footwear that does not prevent them from using the controls correctly.
If stopped by police, drivers could be charged with careless driving, which could lead to a fine of up to £5,000, up to nine demerit points or even a driving ban.
Although the London Marathon road closures are temporary, they are treated the same as permanent road closures in the eyes of the law.
Driving through road closures could see drivers face fines of up to £2,500. All route closures and official vehicle crossing points can be found on the London Marathon website ahead of the event.
Keith Hawes, Director Nationwide Vehicle Contracts He says: “Among the excitement of the London Marathon, please make sure you read up on what the road closures and official parking areas are in advance. For those running the race, get home safely or have a friend/family member drive you if possible. Good luck!”
