London Marathon watchers are being warned this weekend over common traffic rules around the event, which could land you a fine of anywhere between £270 and £5,000, depending on the offence. For those who want to watch the popular race without running up a pile of fines, car experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have warned drivers of the most ‘common and bizarre’ reasons you could be fined for driving to the London Marathon.
Spanning the full 26.2 miles, the London Marathon weaves through many of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. However, much of the route also falls within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). For those hoping to get close to the action by car, it’s recommended to avoid areas such as Greenwich, the City of London, the City of Westminster and Southwark. Driving through these parts of the route could result in a £12.50 daily charge if your vehicle doesn’t meet the required emissions standards. Failure to pay the charge can lead to a £180 fine, which increases by 50% if left unpaid after 28 days, bringing the total amount due to £270.
If you are about to run a marathon, you don’t want to have to walk miles to and from your car and you will want to get a parking space as close as possible.
Despite this, you should not settle for a parking space on the other side of the road. According to Rule 239 of the Highway Code, you can’t park your car facing oncoming traffic at night, or you can be fined up to £1,000, so make sure to return to your car before it gets dark.
After a long run, athletes may be tempted to take their trainers off and get into comfier shoes, such as flip flops and slippers. While it is not illegal to drive in flip-flops or slippers, Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers must wear appropriate footwear that does not prevent them from using the controls correctly.
If stopped by the police, drivers can be charged with careless driving, which can result in a fine of up to £5,000, up to nine penalty points and even a driving ban.
Despite the London Marathon road closures being temporary, they are treated the same as a permanent road closure in the eyes of the law.
Driving through any closed roads can result in drivers facing a fine of up to £2,500. All road closures and the official vehicle crossing points can be found on the London Marathon website ahead of the event.
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts says: “Amongst the excitement of the London Marathon, please ensure you read up on road closures and official parking areas ahead of time. For those running the race, drive home safe or have a friend/family member drive you if they can. Good luck!”