Drivers warned 'horny' spiders could land them with £2,500 fine
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What did the spider say after having sex? No strings attached.
But all jokes aside, one spider's pleasure is another person's despair as drivers have been warned of 'horny' spiders affecting visibility, which may lead to a hefty fine.
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And failure to wipe off spiderwebs from your wing mirror could land you in a bit of trouble as it could lead to an accident - or give you a nasty shock when hundreds of spiders come crawling out.
"The reason we get really big webs at this time of year is because the females get large because they’ve mated and are full of eggs," Dr Geoff Oxford of the British Arachnological Society explains.
"They were still around when they were smaller, but they just weren’t noticed as much."
So basically, a lack of visibility in your mirrors could breach the Road Traffic Act 1988, which states that the 'condition of a motor vehicle is such that its use involves a danger of injury to any person'.
And the punishments for such could include a fine of up to £2,500, along with a possible three points.
Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, said: “There is no middle ground with spiders.
“You are either terrified of them or the nominated person in a house who has to get rid of them.
“But when it comes to motoring this has obviously become a major concern as any shocks or surprises while behind the wheel can lead to accidents and injuries.
“Killing spiders hanging around in your car is one extreme option.
“But thankfully there are some other methods that are more humane and ultimately more successful in bidding adios to arachnids.”
Also side note - if you're one of those who simply dread the thought of creepy crawlies, it seems that house spiders are reaching maximum size due to the mating season.
Dave Clarke, head of invertebrates at London Zoo, said: "While searching for a mate they are so active you are bound to see one or two running across the carpet."
The Highway Code says that motorists should have a full view of the road and if a police officer thinks you're driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition, particularly if you have an accident, you may be liable and charged.
Simon Williams, an RAC road safety spokesperson, also says that 'it will be more important than ever to have undamaged wing mirrors'.
He said: "Broken wing mirrors are sadly far too common a sight on our roads.
"With the Highway Code due to change in 2022 to give cyclists travelling straight ahead priority over drivers turning at junctions, it will be more important than ever to have undamaged wing mirrors."
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