Using a snow slide could see you slapped with £500 fine under bizarre Victorian era rule
BRITS have been warned about a bizarre Victorian era rule which could see you slapped with a £500 fine.
People messing around in the snow or ice could be fined thousands by police due to an old law dating back to 1839.
The Met Office warned -5C arctic temperatures will hit parts of Britain.
With the freezing plunge set to bring widespread frost and snow in Scotland, many will be tempted to play around with the white stuff.
But if you’re a Londoner, you could fall into a hefty fine.
Under the odd rule, you are not allowed to slide on ice or snow in public roads as it could pose a risk to others.
Craig Anderson on behalf of Top Rated Law explained: “This winter law is part of the Metropolitan police act of 1989.
“It states that Londoners aren’t allowed to slide ‘upon ice or snow in any street or other thoroughfare.”
The law was originally passed as part of the Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act Of 1839.
And it applies to frozen surfaces in “any roadway or other thoroughfare”, according to the Met Police.
Mr Anderson added: “The reason for that is that you could potentially put other people in danger by doing so.”
The law only applies to London as the risk to a potential accident in the big city is much higher.
In the off-chance that the UK capital experiences a white Christmas, people are banned from making or using a slide on the city’s streets.
As they could risk posing a “common hazard” to others.
If you’re found taking part in the prohibited activity, you could land a fine of up to £500.
It comes as drivers could face a huge fine and even receive penalty points for wearing their winter coats in the car.
While having a coat on is not against the law, the action of removing it while on the road is considered a breach of the Highway Code.
Although it may seem like a harmless act, shimmying out of a jacket forces drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel which is considered dangerous.
Elsewhere, motorists face losing a staggering £5,000 if they get caught breaking a bizarre winter driving law.
Breaking this little-known rule could land you in trouble and set you back thousands of pounds – here’s how to not get caught out.