Festival Driving Tips: How to Avoid Fines and Get Home Safe
With the busy festival season approaching, Brits planning to hit the road to attend their favourite music events are being urged to take extra care behind the wheel to stay safe and prevent fines.
Motoring experts at Tiger.co.uk are warning drivers to avoid overloading cars, check tyre pressure and ensure they’re not over the drink-drive limit.
When driving to a festival, there are usually more people in the car, and with everyone’s bags and camping equipment, it’s easy to exceed the vehicle’s weight limit.
Overloading vehicles can have a significant impact on road safety and is punishable by a fine of up to £300, as it could cause serious instability or loss of control.*
It’s important to check the vehicle’s maximum payload weight, this can usually be found in the car’s manual or on a label inside the driver’s door – note passengers, luggage and any additional equipment should all be taken into consideration.
When loading the boot, it’s also important to ensure that any items aren’t blocking the back window, as this can cause obstructed visibility. While this is not illegal if the car has two fully functional wing mirrors, it can still compromise the view of the road behind and make reversing or changing lanes more dangerous. If an incident occurs and the driver is found not to have clear visibility from all windows, it could void the insurance and lead to penalty points and a fine of up to £1000.
The designated drivers having to get behind the wheel after the festival are also being urged to get enough rest before driving home to ensure they’re not driving while fatigued or still under the influence.
Driving under the influence can lead to an unlimited fine, imprisonment and a driving ban. It’s recommended that drivers bring a breathalyser to the festival to make sure they’re below the legal limit, which is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath.
Note the next morning is particularly dangerous as people assume sleep and a good breakfast will make them sober enough to drive – this is not the case, time is the only thing that will remove alcohol from the body and many people may still be over the legal limit to drive the next morning.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk said: “With many Brits planning to travel to and from festivals this summer, it’s crucial to prioritise road safety to avoid turning a fun weekend into a costly or dangerous experience.
“With many festival-goers deciding to carpool to save money on fuel on a long journey, there’s a higher risk of overloading the car without even realising it.
“The combined weight of extra passengers and everyone’s luggage, tents and other camping equipment can quickly exceed the vehicle’s maximum payload, which can seriously affect the car’s handling and lead to fines.
“You should also carry out essential checks to ensure that your car is fit for a long drive. This includes checking fluid levels, making sure all lights are working properly and adjusting tyre pressure to accommodate the heavier load.
“We also strongly recommend that anyone getting behind the wheel after a festival uses a personal breathalyser to be certain they’re under the legal limit.
“Designated drivers should also consider delaying setting off if they’re feeling too tired after the festival, as drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.”
Tiger.co.uk’s 7 essential driving tips for festival-goers:
1.Don’t overload the car
It’s easy to go over the vehicle’s weight limit if you’re trying to cram your group of friends with all of their luggage and camping gear into your car. Overloading a vehicle may not seem like a serious offense, however it can have a significant impact on steering, braking and overall road safety and is punishable by a fixed fine of up to £300.
2.Carry out essential maintenance checks beforehand
It’s essential to carry out checks before heading on a long journey to ensure your vehicle is in top condition. Make sure to check the fluid levels, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer, check that all the lights are working properly and inspect for wear and tear of the tyres.
3.Increase tyre pressure
If you’re carrying heavier loads than usual, you may also want to increase your tyre pressure to improve grip and handling. Check the vehicle manual or the sticker inside the driver’s door for the recommended pressure when the car is fully loaded.
4.Don’t block the rear window
While blocking the rear window is not illegal if both wing mirrors are fully functional, obstructed visibility can make reversing and lane changes more dangerous. Try to be strategic when loading up the boot and pack items in a way that still maintains a clear view.
5.Fill up the tank
Running low on fuel, especially in rural or unfamiliar areas near festival sites, can cause unnecessary stress or delays. Fill the tank before setting off to avoid the risk of running out en route, miles away from the next petrol station. Running out of petrol can actually see you fined or land penalty points if it causes an obstruction or is deemed careless or dangerous driving.
6.Bring a breathalyser
Alcohol can stay in your system for a long time, so don’t just assume you’re ready to drive the morning after the festival ends. It’s worth bringing a personal breathalyser to ensure you’re below the legal limit the next day before driving. It’s a simple precaution that can prevent serious consequences, including fines, bans or even imprisonment.
7.Avoid driving while fatigued
If you didn’t get much sleep the night before, try and delay your departure until you don’t feel drowsy. Fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drink driving, so it’s worth allowing yourself a couple more hours of rest rather than risk putting yourself and other road users at risk.
Tiger.co.uk gives festival-goers the tools they need to help them compare and find savings on all sorts of essentials such as breakdown cover and car insurance.