You could be FINED £5,000 for belting out Christmas songs in the car 🎄 🎶

Uh oh...

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 13th Dec 2020
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

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.