Drivers are being warned they could be hit with a £1,000 fine for flying an England flag from their cars during Euro 2024.
The St George’s Cross is often plastered across cars with flags being waved from wing mirrors, roofs and in windows.
Rules governing items on or in cars from the Highway Code are strict about anything which has potential to distract a driver or stop them from having a good view of the road.
This isn’t just looking out through the windscreen, but items which potentially obscure blind spots and make it difficult to see when reversing too, leading to an accident caused by a flag blocking your view when backing up.
The Highway Code states in Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use : “Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle.”
Any flag put up must not obstruct the driver’s view of any windows or rear-view mirrors and if an accident is caused where a flag is found to be a factor, you could be in real trouble.
The maximum fine is up to £1,000 and there could be three points on your licence too.
The rules don’t just apply to the St George cross but the Scottish Saltaire would make you just as liable, for any drivers north of the border.
Meanwhile, there’s no law against flying an England flag from your car in Scotland, but it probably wouldn’t be recommended – for entirely different reasons…
