MUSIC-MAD motorists have been warned they risk points on their licence and a heavy fine for SINGING too loudly in their cars.
Many UK drivers enjoy belting out their favourite hits, often while drumming the steering wheel or swaying in their seat.
But we've uncovered new data which could see drivers having an in-car boogie hit with a 'driving without due care and attention’ or 'dangerous driving’ charge.
And if your musical road performances see you involved in a prang, you can face up to a £5,000 fine and nine points on your licence. The rules also apply to sports fans celebrating in their vehicles.
Commenting on findings by the team at Select Car Leasing, Director Mark Tongue said: “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.
“And the penalties can be severe - up to a £5,000 fine and nine points on your licence in the most serious of circumstances.
“You’ve also got to consider the implications of having your music too loud, also.
“If you’re drowned in sound, you may not be able to hear emergency vehicles approaching or other drivers’ warning horns.
“Meanwhile football supporters also need to be wary. If you’re going wild in your car celebrating a goal, you’re not paying attention to the traffic around you.”
The advice has also been endorsed by leading motoring lawyers.
Sophie Allinson, a specialist criminal and motoring solicitor at David Gray Solicitors LLP said: “The police could definitely 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.
“As a motorist, you have to know what’s going on around you at all times.”
Emma Patterson, principal solicitor at motoring law specialist Patterson Law, said motorists faced three likely charges from such a scenario, depending on the severity of the offence. The most serious is ‘dangerous driving’ are ‘dangerous driving’, the most serious, but also include ‘careless driving’, and ‘not being in proper control of a vehicle’.
She added: “Motorists could be prosecuted, depending on the impact their actions had on their control of their vehicle.
“If you were imitating dancing while driving, then you could be seen taking your hand off the wheel or gesturing. You have to be in proper control of your vehicle. If there was a catastrophic impact on the standard of your driving, such as a significant control loss or crash, then that would be considered dangerous driving.
“There has also been some recent research about how a driver’s temperament can be affected by the music they listen to in the car, leading to poor driving behaviours. A lot of prosecutions these days come from dashcam footage from other car drivers, or from cyclists with a camera helmet.
“Realistically, the chances of the police seeing someone dancing at the wheel are small - but other road users are much more likely to report you.
“It is entirely possible that listening to music too loudly could lead to a prosecution.”
TOP TEN CAR SINGALONG SCENES FROM THE MOVIES:
1) Wayne’s World (Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen)
2) Dumb and Dumber (Mockingbird by Carly Simon)
3) White Chicks (A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton)
4) A Night At The Roxbury (What Is Love by Haddaway)
5) We’re The Millers (Waterfalls by TLC)
6) Almost Famous (Tiny Dancer by Elton John)
7) American Beauty (American Woman by Lenny Kravitz)
8) Jerry Maguire (Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty)
9) Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Mess Around by Ray Charles)
10) Baby Driver (Bell Bottoms by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion)
