MOTORISTS have been warned of a massive £5,000 fines for listening to sports on the radio.
Sports events like the Premier League or the Six Nations could be particularly dangerous if there are passionate reactions from drivers.
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Car experts are warning drivers of potential fines and points on their licence if they’re caught singing or shouting while behind the wheel.
Motorists could be accused of “driving without due care and attention” or “dangerous driving”, – which can lead to the police issuing a fine.
And drivers in the UK could be hit with a fine of up to £5,000 if they are found to be driving in an unsafe manner.
They may even be hit with nine penalty points.
Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, said: “If what’s happening at stadiums around the country causes you to get animated while behind the wheel, then you’re at risk of being distracted from the job at hand – which is keeping your eyes on the road.
“And if there is evidence, which could come from either a police officer witnessing your actions or dashcam footage, that you were punching the air with wild abandon or screaming out in anger before an accident.
“You could ultimately be prosecuted for dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention.”
If the driver’s carelessness results in a major accident or death, the repercussions could be significantly worse.
The volume of the radio or music could also be a problem, as it can be considered illegal if it “disturbs the peace” on a regular basis.
Generally, a police officer will warn a driver and ask them to turn down the stereo.
If the advice is disregarded, it may be seen as “creating alarm, distress, or annoyance to members of the public”, and the car may be impounded.
And being distracted by the radio or music means police can pull motorists over for careless driving, which typically comes with a £100 fine and three penalty points.
Conway added: “Any distraction while driving is obviously a bad idea.
“Being a responsible motorist means being aware of your surroundings and other road users at all times.
“It’s also worth remembering that if your radio is too loud, you might not be able to hear warning sounds such as emergency services’ sirens, pedestrian crossing alerts, and even beeping horns that warn of danger ahead.”
