While jazzing up your car might impress your friends or help grow your social media fanbase, drivers have been warned that furry dice or pink gearstick covers could see them on the wrong side of the law.
New TikTok trend #decoratemycar is inspiring UK drivers into going somewhat overboard when accessorising their beloved vehicles. Videos with the popular hashtag have been watched 142.2million times.
Decorative items from stickers to steering wheel covers could see them breaking The Highway Code, and consequently earn them a hefty fine and points on their license.
So here are the accessories to avoid, unless you fancy a fine…
One clip, which was posted by user @extraababyy shows her putting bling all over the steering wheel, fluffy covers on the gear stick and hand brake. But despite the popularity of the trend, many TikTok users spotted the dangers and hazards that come with the trinkets
Brit drivers have been urged not to follow a popular TikTok trend as it could see them slapped with hefty fines and points on their license
The popular trend has been circulating on the social media site with the hashtag #decoratemycar that has over 142.4million views
Hundreds of videos have been circulating on the social media site – with some racking up more than 21.million views – as posters show how they decorate their dashboards, seats and other bits of their cars.
One clip, which was posted by user @extraababyy shows her putting ‘bling’ all over the steering wheel, fluffy covers on the gear stick and hand brake, as well as decoration on the dashboard and fans.
But despite the popularity of the trend, many TikTok users have urged others not to follow suit. They commented on the bottom of the video, as they spotted the dangers and hazards that come with the trinkets.
One person wrote: ‘If you have the airbags deploy the blinged out logo on your steering wheel can do some damage to your face.’
And another put: ‘You should never put decor in the middle of your steering wheel it’ll slice you up in an accident when the airbag deploys.’
While a third user added: ‘Ml that’s not safe.’
Other users were also concerned for her safety, commenting that having such a highly identifiable car is not advisable.
One person wrote: ‘This is all so cute but it also puts you at more risk because they know this car is driven by a woman,’ as another said: ‘This is cute but try thot to decorate the outside it puts u are risk for tracking.’
Don’t let a TikTok trend land you with a fine…
It is important to note that you can be banned from driving if you already have 12 penalty points on your licence within a period of three years, according to gov.uk.
Different rules apply for new drivers, whose licence can get revoked if they get six or more points within a two year period of passing their test.
1. Avoid hanging large rear-view mirror accessories
If a police officer is left feeling like your air freshener or fluffy dice is obstructing your view, and is distracting you whilst driving, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble (File image)
Nowadays almost everybody has the fresh scents of lemon or pinewood hanging from their rear view mirrors in their car.
But it turns out that it’s actually illegal (kind of).
If a police officer is left feeling like your air freshener or decoration is obstructing your view, and is distracting your driving, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.
According to the Highway Code: ‘Windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision’.
Therefore, if you are pulled over by a police officer and they feel your fluffy dice or ChupaChups air freshener is an obstruction to your view of the road, it could lead to a hefty fine of up to £1,000 or even three points on your license.
Having such items may also give mechanics full cause to give you an advisory of removing said decorations – or your car could fail its MOT.
2. Be warned against decorating your dashboard with diamante gemstones
Diamante gemstones may look cool, some TikTokers are going wild and sticking them onto steering wheels, air vents and across their dashboards.
As users on the social media site have pointed out, you should never put decor in the middle of your steering wheel as if your airbag activates, it can cause serious damage to you.
Furthermore, there is also the safety aspect as having a lot of decorations on the car can mean that it is easily identifiable and trackable.
According to The Highway Code, embellishing your car is dangerous as this could be deemed as ‘careless and inconsiderate driving’ – so Brits have been warned against doing this.
This is because such bling can be distracting not only to the driver of the vehicle but also to other motorists on the road.
Therefore, drivers need to know that if they are stopped for ‘careless and inconsiderate driving’, according to The Highway Code, they face an unlimited fine and/or a discretionary disqualification and three to nine points on the license.
3. Remove any steering wheel covers
If you lose control of your steering wheel due to lack of grip from the cover, you could be fined for dangerous driving in association with The Highway Code (File image)
A majority of the videos on TikTok show users wrapping their steering wheel covers with fluffy or coloured materials.
However, motorists have been warned that they should never do anything that will impact the grip of their hand on their vehicle.
And the same goes for your gear stick and hand brake- as you need to have access to it at all times.
If you lose control of your steering wheel due to lack of grip from the cover, you could be fined for dangerous driving in association with The Highway Code.
Punishment could lead to up to 11 points on your license being added.
So if you are going to add a steering wheel cover, you should opt for one from trusted retailers or your car’s manufacturer.
4. Stop storing hand sanitiser and sun cream in your car
It is best to store beauty products and hand sanitizer in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight – you could place them in the dashboard storage box
Keeping copious amounts of beauty products in the car during the summer periods could actually lead to them becoming less effective.
While the TikTok trend sees drivers storing hand sanitiser, sun cream, beauty products and other essentials in their car, this isn’t advisory.
Long-term heat and sunlight exposure can break down ingredients, like alcohol content in sanitisers, so itmay be possible that your product will not work as effectively.
In general, it is best to store hand sanitizer in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight.
And if you are leaving them in your vehicle, place them in the dashboard storage box.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
