Rhiannon Ingle
Anyone with an England flag on their car could be fined thousands ahead of the team's World Cup match tonight (17 June).
England will be taking on Croatia in their tournament debut this evening, and football fans are being told that driving with flags displayed on their cars could land them with a fine of up to £2,500.
And that's not all, as they could also find themselves being slammed with three penalty points on top of the hefty fine.
Because of this, motoring experts at the UK's Biggest Car Lease Deal Comparison Site, LeaseLoco, are urging drivers to take extra care and make sure any flags or decorations are securely fitted and do not obstruct their view or create a safety risk for other road users.
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Many motorists may not be aware that incorrectly flying a flag from a car can break vehicle safety laws.
Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, anything fitted to a vehicle must be properly secured, which means poorly attached flags can be classed as an unsafe load if they come loose at speed, creating a hazard for other drivers.
Drivers not attaching flags securely to the vehicle can face three penalty points and a £100 fine, which could escalate to £2,500 if the matter is taken to court for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
Motorists are also being reminded that flags must not affect their ability to see clearly, as driving with obstructed vision carries a £100 fine and three penalty points as well.
John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco, explained: "With the World Cup just around the corner, it’s understandable that fans will want to display England flags on their cars to show support wherever they go.
"But many drivers don’t realise just how dangerous incorrectly attached flags can be, especially at higher speeds or in windy weather."
The expert continued: "It’s crucial to remember that anything attached to the car must be properly secured and must not obstruct visibility or distract other drivers.
"Displaying a flag might seem harmless, but if it comes loose while driving, it could create a serious hazard on the road and leave drivers facing hefty fines and penalty points.
"If you want to display flags, it’s important to make sure they’re actually designed for road use and properly fitted. It’s also worth doing a quick check every time before setting off, especially if you’re heading onto faster roads or motorways."