Warning to all Brits buying Christmas trees over £5k fine | UK | News
As millions of Britons Those preparing to buy Christmas trees for the festive season are being urged to bring them home in the correct condition or risk it. He was fined. Motorists could face consequences including hefty fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to secure trees correctly, an expert has warned.
According to car insurance company Tempcover, this is due to two main breaches of the Highway Code; an unsafe load and obstructed vision. It warns that failure to properly secure any load (including Christmas trees) may be considered reckless or dangerous driving and a violation. Tempcover said this could lead to drivers facing penalties including fines of up to £5,000, demerit points, as well as invalidation of insurance if a loose tree contributed to the collision.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, says: “The spirit of Christmas is priceless, but the penalty of an unsafe tree is priceless.
“Our advice is simple: Make sure your tree is secured to legal standards and that your view is not obstructed. By doing this, you keep your insurance valid and maintain your financial peace of mind.
“And if your vehicle is not up to the task, use temporary insurance to legally borrow a suitable van or larger vehicle that can handle the load safely.”
Drivers are encouraged to securely attach their Christmas trees to their car’s roof rack.
It is recommended to use strong ratchet straps with the trunk end of the tree facing the bodywork.
This location prevents branches from catching the wind and losing straps, according to Tempcover.
If a tree is to be placed inside the car, people are asked to place it in the trunk first and use the car’s anchor points (or seat belts if anchors are not available) to secure it.
Tempcover warns of fixed fines of up to £100 and you could also be given three points on your license if a tree obstructs the driver’s view.
In more serious cases, penalties can be much larger, experts say.
People were also told to pay attention to the weight and size of the tree to avoid overloading their cars.
Other tips for getting a tree home include making sure it’s netted and driving slower than normal.
