Drivers risking £1,000 fine by doing this during 26C 'mini-heatwave' this week

Drivers risk a £1,000 fine, an expert has warned, as parts of the UK are forecast to bask in a 26C "mini heatwave" this week. Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, urged motorists to be mindful of playing rude lyrics on their radios, or of simply cranking up the volume too high with their windows open or roofs down in a bid to cool down. He said: “There isn’t a specific offence for playing music with swearing or explicit lyrics in the comfort of your own vehicle. However, context matters.

“For example, if you’re playing music containing swear words in a public place - such as while stopped in traffic, driving past a school, or through a busy pedestrian area - and someone nearby feels alarmed, distressed, or harassed, you could be committing a Section 5 offence of the Public Order Act of 1986. The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine of up to £1,000 and possible prosecution."

He added: "While it’s relatively rare, it can happen in more serious or repeated cases where members of the public have raised concerns."

Mr Conway also emphasised that loud music "poses a significant safety risk".

He added: “It’s crucial that drivers can hear important road sounds, such as emergency vehicle sirens, car horns, and other audio clues that warn of potential hazards. With your music blaring, you might miss those vital audible signs.

“Being able to respond quickly to changing circumstances is a key part of staying safe on the road.”

The Met Office predicts that temperatures will hit 26C in London tomorrow, and 24C on Wednesday, the same as today.

Conditions will then be slightly cooler afterwards, with the mercury registering 21C on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday, it will be a tad lower at 20C.

Experts note that on Tuesday, there is expected to be in the south east an "early mist and fog patches soon clearing to leave a largely dry and warm day, with sunny spells".

There will be "a chance of some heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms developing in the afternoon".

From Wednesday to Friday, we can expect it to be "dry, warm and largely sunny", with mild nights at first, but cooler nights later in the week.

There are also to be light winds.