UK motorists are being warned that what they wear behind the wheel could land them a hefty fine.
Across the Midlands and southern England, an amber heat health alert is in place from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday, and a yellow alert covers Yorkshire and northern England over the same period.
With temperatures set to rise, drivers are being reminded that wearing flip flops while driving could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.
Julie Daniels, car insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: "Staying up to date with the latest version of the Highway Code is the easiest way to avoid fines and penalties while driving.
7 Common Speed Camera Myths
"Even having just a few penalty points on your licence could cause issues for you, as they stay on record for at least four years and make it more difficult to get good car insurance deals.
"In fact, our data shows that having between 3-5 points on your license could increase your insurance premium by up to 4% on average, while having 6-8 points could increase premiums costs by up to 62% on average."
Under Highway Code rule 97, footwear worn while driving must not prevent motorists from using the controls correctly.
Elsewhere, the UK Health Security Agency has warned that high temperatures could put extra strain on health and social care services, with an increased risk of serious illness and death for those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions.
The UKHSA has also warned of potential rises in water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning.
The Met Office has forecast “tropical nights” later this week, with some areas not dropping below 20C overnight.
UV levels are expected to be high or very high across much of the UK, with a UV index of eight predicted for the south of England and Wales on Wednesday.
People are advised to take extra care in the heat and apply sun protection throughout the week.
Share