Drivers warned cluttered dashboards could increase fire risk in hot weather

Key takeaways

• One in six UK drivers admit to driving cluttered vehicles, with many unaware that loose items can cause accidents, distractions and near misses.

• Experts warn everyday rubbish like bottles and food packaging can become serious hazards, potentially blocking pedals, obscuring vision or even starting fires in hot weather.

• Clutter could also lead to fines, penalty points or invalidated insurance claims if it contributes to an incident, making regular clear‑outs essential.

In our new survey of over 1,300 UK drivers, one in six say that they drive a messy or cluttered vehicle, with nearly one in five regularly leaving food or drink packaging in them.

More surprisingly, nearly a third (32%) of drivers aren’t aware of the safety risks of loose debris in their vehicle, despite 1 in 10 UK drivers admitting to having a near miss when driving that they directly attribute to clutter in their vehicle.

Loose clutter such as empty hot drink containers, food packaging and plastic bottles can quickly build up when you’re using your vehicle regularly.

But loose items aren’t just a bit untidy, they can cause accidents, be a fire hazard, lead to fines and even invalidate your insurance. Clearing out your van takes just a few minutes and not doing it could be costly.

1. Driving safety

Loose items in a van cab have a habit of ending up where they shouldn't. Whether that’s a bottle rolling around the floor that could ends up under the pedals, or an old receipt or a food wrapper sticking to the window and obscuring your view. A split-second distraction or blocked control could have serious consequences.

2. Fire risk

In summer months, and on particularly sunny days, having loose items in a van can become a fire hazard. Clear plastic bottles could act like a lens in some circumstances, focusing sunlight onto dry packaging or other materials in the cab and even potentially starting a fire. Reflective surfaces like cans or foil wrappers can direct heat in a similar way.

3. Breaking the law

Items that risk obstructing pedals or causing distraction to drivers fall under the careless driving law and risk an on-the-spot £100 fine and three points on your licence.

Not only that, if you are in a van and cause a crash or serious incident found to have been caused by the items in your vehicle, you could be hit with a fine up to £5,000 and a maximum of nine penalty points on your licence.

4. Invalidate insurance

Most van insurance policies require the vehicle to be maintained in a roadworthy condition, meaning if an insurer finds that loose items contributed to an accident, they may refuse to pay out entirely.