Halloween drivers warned fancy dress mistake could lead to unlimited fines and driving ban

Drivers planning to dress up this Halloween are being warned that an innocent costume choice could become a safety and legal issue if it restricts their sight, movement or ability to control the car and react quickly.

While wearing fancy dress behind the wheel is not automatically illegal, a mask, novelty contact lens, bulky costumes or unsuitable footwear that affects a driver's vision or control could contribute to careless driving. For lower-level careless driving, police can issue a £100 fixed penalty and three points, while cases dealt with by the courts can carry an unlimited fine, three to nine points or even a driving ban. 

Jonathan, motoring expert here at First Response Finance, explains:

"Rule 97 of the Highway Code says drivers should ensure their clothing and footwear do not prevent them from using the controls correctly, while Rule 94 advises against using tinted glasses, lenses or visors at night in poor visibility if they restrict vision. 

"Extra awareness is particularly important on Halloween, when children and families are likely to be out trick or treating after dark. UK road collision research found that, between 5pm and 6pm on Halloween, a child involved in a road collision was 34% more likely to be killed or seriously injured than on other days."

Five Halloween fancy dress mistakes drivers should avoid

1. Wearing novelty contact lenses that affect your vision 👀

Coloured or patterned contact lenses can change how clearly you see, particularly in low light. They may blur vision, reduce contrast or interfere with peripheral awareness, which makes it harder to spot a child stepping out from between parked cars. 

Don't assume a lens is safe for driving simply because it feels comfortable. If it affects your sight at all, remove it before getting behind the wheel and only put it back in once you are safely parked.

2. Wearing masks, headpieces or gloves that restrict movement 🎃

Masks, veils, hoods and large hats can create blind spots or make it harder to turn your head when checking mirrors and junctions. Heavy gloves, fake claws and rigid costume hands can also reduce your grip on the wheel and make indicators, switches or the gearstick harder to use. 

Remove anything that sits over your face, limits head movement or affects your grip before starting the engine. You need a clear view through the windscreen, windows and mirrors, and both hands free to use the controls properly.

3. Letting loose or bulky costumes interfere with the controls and seatbelt 🧛

Long capes, robes, trailing sleeves and oversized props can catch around the gearstick, handbrake, steering wheel or pedals. Inflatable outfits, armour and bulky padding can also restrict shoulder movement or stop the seatbelt sitting close to the body. 

Take loose layers, props and bulky padding off before driving, then store them securely in the boot. Check that the seatbelt lies flat across your chest and lap and that nothing can fall into the driver's footwell. 

4. Choosing costume shoes that make braking harder 👠

Chunky boots, high heels, platform shoes and oversized costume feet can make it harder to judge the pedals or move quickly from the accelerator to the brake. Loose footwear can also slip off or become wedged underneath a pedal. 

Keep a pair of secure, flat shoes in the car and change before setting off. Your footwear should let you operate every control accurately and without looking down.

5. Turning the car itself into a Halloween display 🚗

Hanging decorations, cobwebs, window stickers and flashing accessories can block part of the windscreen or pull your attention away from the road. Loose items can also move suddenly or fall into the footwell while the car is in motion. 

Keep the windscreen, windows and mirrors completely clear, and secure anything carried inside the car. Decorations are best saved for when the vehicle is parked.

 

Even if you're not dressing up, the evenings around Halloween and Bonfire Night call for extra patience behind the wheel, particularly on residential streets where children and families may be out trick or treating after dark. Slow down, leave more space and be prepared for children to appear unexpectedly from driveways or between parked cars. 

Keep your windows and mirrors clear, put your phone away and avoid adjusting costumes or decorations on the move. Dark outfits can make pedestrians harder to spot, so reducing your speed gives you more time to see what is happening and stop safely. 

Dressing up for Halloween might seem harmless, but once you get behind the wheel, anything that affects your sight, movement or ability to use the controls properly can become a safety issue. A mask that creates a blind spot, a cape that catches around the controls or oversized shoes that make the pedals harder to operate could all affect how safely you drive. 

If any part of your outfit affects your sight, movement, grip or concentration, take it off before driving and put it back on once you're safely parked. If you're unsure whether an item is safe, check the Highway Code before travelling, but do not test it on the road. When in doubt, it is better not to risk it!

 

Sources

Gov.uk - The Highway Code: Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)

Gov.uk - The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties

Sentencing Council - Careless driving (drive without due care and attention)

Gov.uk - View to the front and windscreen obscuration

MDPI - Pediatric traffic injuries on Halloween in the United Kingdom: prevalence and injury severity

Gov.uk - Reported road casualties Great Britain: child casualty factsheet, 2025