You could be FINED £5,000 for belting out Christmas songs in the car 🎄 🎶
Uh oh...
Last updated 18th Dec 2020
Whether you can hold a tune or you're completely tone deaf, you've probably at some point or another had a singing session in the car. Stuck in traffic? Get those vocal cords warmed up. Waiting to get out of a car park? Warble to your heart's content. ESPECIALLY at Christmas. What are you supposed to do when 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' comes on the radio except belt out 'FEEEEED THE WOOOOORLD!'?
However - those who love to give solo car concerts could find themselves in hot water, as experts have now warned that, if you're singing loudly in your car, you could be fined as much as £5,000.
According to the Mirror, playing loud music and singing along could come under the umbrella of 'carelessness', meaning you could be slapped with charges like 'driving without due care and attention’ or 'dangerous driving’.
Uswitch car insurance expert, Ben Smithson, spoke to Birmingham Mail, ""Driving at Christmas can be exciting, however there are some little-known things that could put your safety at risk and invalidate your insurance.
"Whilst singing along to Christmas songs and adding decorations to your car may seem like fun, they could also be a huge distraction and land you a hefty fine or increased car insurance premium."
See all the Christmas Number 1 singles from the last 50 years...
1970
Dave Edmunds - 'I Hear You Knocking'
1971
Benny Hill - 'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)'
1972
Little Jimmy Osmond - 'Long Haired Lover from Liverpool'
1973
Slade - 'Merry Xmas Everybody'
1974
Mud - 'Lonely This Christmas'
1975
Queen - 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
1976
Johnny Mathis - 'When a Child is Born'
1977
Wings - 'Mull of Kintyre/Girls' School'
1978
Boney M - 'Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord'
1979
Pink Floyd - 'Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)'
1980
St. Winifred's School Choir - 'There's No One Quite Like Grandma'
1981
The Human League - 'Don't You Want Me'
1982
Renée and Renato - 'Save Your Love'
1983
The Flying Pickets - 'Only You'
1984
Band Aid - 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
1985
Shakin' Stevens - 'Merry Christmas Everyone'
1986
Jackie Wilson - 'Reet Petite'
1987
Pet Shop Boys - 'Always on My Mind'
1988
Cliff Richard - 'Mistletoe & Wine'
1989
Band Aid II - 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
1990
Cliff Richard - 'Saviour's Day'
1991
Queen - 'Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives'
1992
Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'
1993
Mr Blobby - 'Mr Blobby'
1994
East 17 - 'Stay Another Day'
1995
Michael Jackson - 'Earth Song'
1996
Spice Girls - '2 Become 1'
1997
Spice Girls - 'Too Much'
1998
Spice Girls - 'Goodbye'
1999
Westlife - 'I Have a Dream/Seasons in the Sun'
2000
Bob the Builder - 'Can We Fix It?'
2001
Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman - 'Somethin' Stupid'
2002
Girls Aloud - 'Sound of the Underground'
2003
Michael Andrews and Gary Jules - 'Mad World'
2004
Band Aid 20 - 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
2005
Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal'
2006
Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This'
2007
Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe'
2008
Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah'
2009
Rage Against the Machine - 'Killing in the Name'
2010
Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide'
2011
Military Wives with Gareth Malone - 'Wherever You Are'
2012
The Justice Collective - 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'
2013
Sam Bailey - 'Skyscaper'
2014
Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need'
2015
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir - 'A Bridge Over You'
2016
Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul & Anne-Marie - 'Rockabye'
2017
Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé - 'Perfect'
2018
'We Built This City ...on Sausage Rolls' - LadBaby
2019
'I Love Sausage Rolls' - LadBaby
Select Car Leasing told the publication that there could be a £5,000 fine was well as nine points on the licence, with director Mark Tongue saying, "Listening to music in your car is one thing, but if you’re singing loudly, dancing in your seat and generally getting into the groove, then you’re at risk of being distracted from the job at hand - which is keeping your eyes on the road.
"If there’s evidence - either dashcam footage or testimony from a police officer - that you were dancing and singing prior to an accident, you could ultimately be prosecuted for dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention," adding that sports fans should also be wary of going overboard if they're celebrating whilst driving.
Sophie Allinson from David Gray Solicitors LLP said, "The police could choose to prosecute you if the way you listened to music caused a distraction as you drove. If it prevents you from driving with due care and attention, it could end in prosecution, and that includes singing or dancing at the wheel."
Read more:
All of John Lewis' Christmas adverts over the years
Brilliant Elf on a Shelf ideas to try on the kids
A definitive list of Christmas board games that cause the most family feuds