The Met Office has forecast icy conditions and snow for much of the UK in the coming days, encouraging people to reach for their cosy mittens, chunky scarves, and fluffy earmuffs to help them stay warm.
However, what many people may not realise is that some of these winter staples could actually pose a risk if they are worn while driving.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explained: “Cold weather and winter clothing go hand in hand. But some fashion items and accessories can actually pose a risk when worn behind the wheel.
“Rule 97 of the Highway Code even states that you should ‘ensure clothing and footwear do not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner’.
“If your clothes do hinder you from controlling a vehicle correctly, you could face an on-the-spot £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence for what’s considered ‘careless driving’ in the eyes of the law.”
Here, Select Car Leasing lists some items of winter clothing and accessories that might steer you into trouble on the road.
Bulky scarves
Winter scarves are lifesavers when it comes to keeping us toasty. But when it comes to protecting us from car accidents or mishaps on the road, they could be doing the exact opposite.
If a thick, bulky scarf makes it harder for you to turn your head in a hurry, your peripheral vision might become limited, and you could struggle to keep an eye on blind spots. If the ends of the scarf are dangling down in front of you, there’s always a risk they might get caught in the steering wheel, too. If wearing a scarf is non-negotiable, opt for a shorter, thinner, and less bulky style to minimise driving risks.
Thick gloves/mittens
Thick woolly gloves can impair your ability to grip a car’s steering wheel properly and could cause you to lose control of the vehicle completely.
Woolly mittens provide an even worse grip, as your fingers are not able to clasp the steering wheel in a safe manner.
That said, having warm hands is crucial when driving. Cold hands can reduce your grip strength, slow your reaction time, and even make your hands numb.
So, instead of thick, fluffy gloves, opt for leather gloves or gloves with a non-slip grip.
If you’ve got a modern car with a heated steering wheel, even better.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are one of the most on-trend fashion accessories this winter, with searches increasing by over 213% on Google in the past month.
However, wearing these can impede your hearing, making it more difficult to detect hazards.
Ambulance horns, turn signals, and even the sound of an approaching vehicle when you’re sitting at a junction are all essential sounds to keep an ear out for whilst driving. When wearing earmuffs, these sounds can be more difficult to hear, especially if they are thick or Sherpa-lined.
To stay safe, consider swapping earmuffs for a headband that keeps your ears warm without compromising your hearing or vision.
Oversized hats/beanies
Similarly to scarves, oversized winter hats or beanies can obstruct your peripheral vision. They can also potentially muffle road sounds when worn over the ears. To avoid this, wear a fitted hat and ensure that it sits snugly on your head without covering your ears entirely or drooping into your line of sight.
Snoods/face coverings
Snoods and face coverings can endanger drivers during this accident-prone time of year, particularly for those who wear glasses. Snoods and face coverings can cause glasses to steam up, obstructing your vision and heightening driving risks.
To avoid this, consider wearing contact lenses whilst driving if you’re planning to wear a snood or face covering, or simply opt for a thick jumper to keep your neck warm instead.
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