WHEN the sun is shining, we all love to get out and enjoy the hot weather - but the last thing you want is to be slapped with a fine while you're having fun.
From driving practises to where you light the barbecue or dispose of your waste, there are a number of little-known rules that could land you in hot water this summer.
To help you ensure you aren't slapped with any unexpected bills over the summer months, we’ve drawn up a list of all the rules you need to be aware of.
Driving in flip flops – up to £5,000
While it’s not strictly illegal to drive while wearing in flip flops, flimsy footwear could see you slapped with a fine of up to £5,000 if you're caught up in a crash.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code says you must not wear footwear that prevents you from using the car’s controls in the correct manner.
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Flip flops can be seen as an infringement of this rule, as your feet can slip around.
If you’re involved in an accident and police see you were wearing flip flops at the time, you could be considered to have driven without due care and attention.
This can lead to a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points.
If you were taken to court, that fine could be as high as £5,000, with nine points added to your licence and even a potential driving ban.
Driving without sunglasses or in the wrong sunglasses - up to £5,000
Bright sunshine can be blinding and it’s important to make sure you can see clearly while driving or you could be slapped with a careless driving charge, which holds a maximum penalty of £5,000.
It’s not a legal requirement to wear sunglasses, but if you were involved in an accident as a result of glare from the sun you could be accused of driving without due care and attention.
The same goes if you’re not wearing the correct prescription in your glasses.
When picking the right sunglasses for driving, there are a number of things you need to consider.
Lenses with light transmission of between 18% and 43% are recommend for driving in the day.
Meanwhile, lenses with light transmission of less than 75% and yellow tinted lenses are considered unsuitable for night-time driving.
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You also need to ensure that your frames don’t obscure your peripheral vision and that your lenses don’t have any scratches that could make it difficult for you to see.
According to Rule 237 of the Highway Code, drivers need to slow down or pull over if they are "dazzled by bright sunlight".
If you fail to do so, you could be charged with careless driving.
Not using air conditioning – up to £5,000
When the mercury rises, car interiors can quickly become stifling and most of us reach immediately to turn up the air con.
But doing so is not just a point of comfort. Part of Rule 237 of the Highway Code states that drivers must keep their cars "well ventilated" in order to avoid drowsiness.
Failing to adhere to this could land you with a £5,000 fine in the most serious cases.
These cases include endangering another driver or pedestrian, or causing an accident.
All of these could result in a court summons and a fine or even potentially being banned from driving.
Drinking water while driving – up to £2,500
Driving while dehydrated can affect your concentration and shorten your reaction times, so it’s important to make sure you take plenty of water with you when on a long journey.
However, you may want to consider pulling over to hydrate.
While it’s not illegal to drink while driving, if you get distracted and are not considered to be in proper control of your car, you could face a fine.
Fines of £100 may be issued on the spot, while three penalty points could be issued.
And, if you’re involved in an accident as a result of a lapse in concentration, that fine could rise to £2,500.
The same goes for eating behind the wheel and, shockingly, research by the AA found that people have even been seen eating ice creams behind the wheel on hot days.
Camilla Benitz, managing director at the AA Driving School, said: “Allowing extra time for your journey, including breaks to cool off and enjoy an ice lolly and apply suncream, will help to reduce distractions.
"You could get burnt with more than a fine if your melting 99 leads to an accident.”
Barbecues on beaches and in parks - fines vary
Public parks and beaches have very specific rules around lighting of barbecues, so make sure you’re aware of them to avoid a hefty fine.
Under some councils, the lighting of fires, including barbecues, is banned in all parks and public spaces.
However, in many places you can enjoy a barbecue in designated areas as long as you take care.
It’s worth checking the rules in your local area before you head out to ensure you don't start cooking against the rules.
All the information you need should be on your local council’s website.
Penalty costs will vary, but as an example, those who have a Barbie in public spaces in Bexley Borough Council could be fined £100.
If you do decide to barbecue in public areas, make sure to do so safely.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Disposable barbecues pose a significant fire risk if they are not used appropriately and put out properly, while the heat can be retained for many hours even after a barbeque has been put out.
“If you are having a barbecue, never leave it unattended and be careful where you position it.
"Try and keep it on a level ground and keep it well away from anything flammable like sheds, fences, trees or tents."
Walking your dog on the beach - up to £1,000
Walking your dog on the beach may sound like a great way to spend a sunny day, but it could cost you a small fortune during peak season.
The most popular sandy spots typically ban dogs during the summer months.
It’s important to check before you head out to make sure your four-legged friend doesn't end up costing you a small fortune.
In Bournemouth, for example, dogs are allowed on all beaches from October 1 to April 30, but during the summer months a simple walk could lead to a £1,000 fine.
The information you need should be available on your local council’s website.
Taking pebbles from the beach - £1,000
Your child might want to take pebbles home after a day at the beach, but doing so could see you slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine.
The Coast Protection Act 1949 makes it illegal to remove natural materials including sand, shells and pebbles from the country’s beaches.
Many councils do not enforce this legislation, but where it is enforced, the penalty is substantial.
Cumberland Council has said it will be enforcing the rule this summer, adding that the law is in place to protect the natural environment.
Counciller Bob Kelly said: “I understand people’s reluctance to follow this guidance, as I have been a collector of shells myself. But taking a pebble or a shell from a beach, can in fact damage the environment.
“We are asking people to leave the pebbles, shells and sand as we all want to ensure that our beaches remain vibrant and intact for future generations.”
Scarlett Doyle, a solicitor in the property disputes team at RWK Goodman, added: “This is the law, but the reality is that it is very difficult to police.
"It appears that it is only those who are incredibly unlucky or taking a vast amount of materials that seem to be
penalised.”
Having a garden bonfire - up to £5,000
Even in your own garden, lighting a bonfire could still land you with a fine of up to £5,000.
If smoke from the bonfire drifts across a road and endangers drivers, you could be in line for a fine.
The law also bans you from burning household waste that could cause pollution or harm people’s health.
If it's your neighbour that's caused smoke to billow across a road then you can complain to your local council.
Urinating in a public place - from £45
We all drink more in the summer to ward off dehydration, but if you’re caught going to the loo out and about it could cost you £45.
In short, it’s not worth sneaking behind a bush or heading into a ditch to relieve yourself.
Public urination is dealt with through the by-laws of individual local authorities across the country under Section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972.
So, how much you can get fined varies depending on the local council.
In some cases, police officers may also issue a Penalty Notice for Disorder under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 for urinating in public, with fines beginning at £60.
Littering in outdoor public spaces - up to £500
Litter bugs who leave their trash in public spaces while enjoying the sunshine can face big fines.
Local councils have the power to issue on-the-spot penalties of up to £500 for littering.
They can also fine drivers the same amount for throwing rubbish out of their car window.
Meanwhile, police officers can issue a £60 Penalty Notice for Disorder if you litter under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
In short, leave nothing behind but footprints and tyre tracks when you head out this summer.
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