Motorists urged not to wear accessory after woman’s horrifying story | UK | News

Drivers are being urged to remove a particular item before getting behind the wheel, as it could prove distracting or cause serious injury in a collision. Some motorists have had near-fatal experiences while wearing them, prompting warnings for others to exercise caution.

Certain accessories carry additional risks that could lead to severe injuries. With further warm weather anticipated this week, many drivers with long hair will opt to tie it back to stay cool and maintain their concentration on the road.

However, one widely-used hair accessory could put your life at risk if worn while driving. Although hair claw clips are practical, they could inflict considerable injuries should you find yourself involved in a road accident.

The hazard posed by claw clips stems primarily from the distractions they create, their sharp edges, and the material from which they are constructed. When a driver fiddles with or repositions their claw clip while driving, they inadvertently divert their attention from the road.

In the event of a collision, hair clips can pose a hazard, as they may become airborne or embed in the back of the driver’s head. Publications have previously covered incidents involving these hair accessories, reports the Mirror.

On January 24, 2023, Jeena Panesar fastened her hair with a claw clip before setting off in her car. She was left fearing for her life when it sliced through her scalp and became lodged in her head during a crash. While driving home from work in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, her vehicle struck a tree in dense fog, skidded for 50 metres, before overturning. The force of the collision threw Jeena against the roof, causing the clip to become embedded in her skull.

Surgeons removed the clip at hospital, revealing a severe 30cm laceration extending from her left eyebrow to the rear of her head. The injury resulted in permanent muscle damage and loss of movement in her eyebrow.

Following her discharge from hospital three days later, Panesar turned to TikTok to share her experience and caution others about the dangers of wearing claw clips while travelling in vehicles. Healthcare professionals and road safety campaigners have supported her message, highlighting that the rigid construction of claw clips can create dangerous pressure points during collisions or airbag deployment.

In March 2023, Paisley Riley similarly suffered a severe accident when the hard plastic claw clip she was wearing became lodged deeply in the back of her skull. She required five staples to close the wound.

Paisley’s TikTok warning clip amassed over 59 million views, sparking a widespread online movement with doctors and fellow accident survivors urging women to refrain from wearing rigid clips while driving or travelling in vehicles. Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that “drivers must not wear clothing that restricts their movement or interferes with their ability to operate the controls properly.” It’s essential that your attire doesn’t compromise your capacity to drive safely.

Donning restrictive garments or inappropriate footwear can result in losing control of your vehicle or potentially causing a collision. Should this occur, you could face charges of careless or inconsiderate driving. In the most serious circumstances, this could result in a fine of up to £5,000, while you could also receive nine penalty points on your driving licence.

Take out rigid hair clips and store them in the glove box or cup holder. Choose soft, flexible accessories such as elastic hair ties or scrunchies while you’re driving.