As schools across England and Wales gear up for the new academic year, parents are being urged to plan their school runs carefully to avoid the risk of fines totaling up to £4,600 for common driving errors.
To support parents ahead of the first school run in September, Hippo Leasing has identified four key driving mistakes that could lead to significant fines:
1 – Running a red light – £1,000 fine
With the pressure of getting children to school on time, some drivers may try to rush through traffic lights as they turn red. However, this can lead to a steep £1,000 fine and three penalty points—a stressful way to start the new school year.
2 – Undertaking other drivers – £100 fine
Rule 268 of The Highway Code advises against overtaking on the left, as it can pose serious dangers. While not illegal, undertaking can still result in a £100 fine for careless driving, making it a risky maneuver to avoid.
3 – Skipping deicing and demisting – £1,000 fine
As the weather cools in September, parents mustn’t skip deicing and demisting their car windows, even when in a hurry. Failing to properly clear your windscreen could land you with a £1,000 fine for not having a full view of the road.
4 – Speeding – £2,500 fine
The stress of running late can tempt drivers to speed, but doing so could result in a £2,500 fine, along with three to six points on your licence. It’s a costly consequence for trying to save a few minutes on the school run.
Tom Preston, CEO and Founder at Hippo Leasing explains “Drivers who resort to breaking the highway code to get to their destination quicker could be fined up to £4,600 for committing offences such as speeding and driving through red lights.
“We urge drivers to ensure they have more than enough time to make their journey as the roads could be extremely congested.”
