Viral Jellycat car trend could land you a fine and points on your licence, warns expert
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Here at London World, we love few things more than Jellycats. The cute, cuddly toys come in various shapes and sizes, putting personality into some of your favourite everyday objects (there’s even a toilet roll).
The plushies have gained a cult following over the past couple of years, so unsurprisingly they are billed as one of this year’s most in-demand Christmas gifts.
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Hide AdHowever, a driving expert has warned car owners against a new viral trend involving the cute plushies- which could see you land three points on your licence and a hefty fine.
One Jellycat design is being particularly sought after - the cherry. In the past month, there has been a 194% increase in demand for the fruit soft toy, and social media has crowned the Jellycat cherry an essential car decoration.
The trend has become so popular that videos using the Jellycat cherry as a hanging car decoration have racked up over 38.4 million posts on TikTok.
However, driving experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have revealed the unknown dangers of this viral trend, warning drivers to think twice before adding cute decorations to their vehicle.
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Should you take part in the viral Jellycat trend?
The viral TikTok video shows the driver attaching the cherry Jellycat to her rear view mirror, so it dangles below it. The video has gained over 1.1 million views and is captioned, ‘This is your sign to put the Jellycat cherries in your car.’
With over 91k likes and 7k saves, many drivers are feeling inspired to do the same in their vehicles. One user commented, ‘I’m obsessed,’ and another claimed, ‘I’m doing this.’
However, driving experts strongly advise against this. In the UK, drivers can be fined up to £2,500 and have up to three penalty points on their licence for driving with an obstructed view. Driving with the Jellycat cherry on your vehicle's mirror or inside your car can obstruct the view and reduce visibility, resulting in high fines and penalties.
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, comments: “It’s common for many drivers to feel inspired by viral trends. However, it is paramount that drivers prioritise their safety and visibility on the road rather than fashion and social media trends. With Jellycats trending as a popular Christmas gift this year, drivers are advised to keep cuddly toys out of their cars to ensure road safety. Drivers who obstruct their view when driving not only increase their risk of accidents on the road but also put themselves liable to high fines and penalties.”
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