Having a dirty car with tatty carpets can be a safety hazard – especially now winter is here. As well as creating an unhealthy environment and looking untidy, it can also cause accidents, according to research.
There have been multiple reports of motorists crashing their car due to carpet-related incidents. These occurred because of the dilapidated state of the floor covering.

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One hapless driver had an accident after the accelerator pedal got caught in a hole in the carpet. As she struggled to free it, momentarily taking her eyes off the road, she crashed into the guard rail. Luckily, she survived, but suffered serious injuries.
Always keep your vehicle’s floor clean, as all kinds of debris can interfere with the movement of the pedals around the driver’s feet space.
Never let unnecessary clutter and litter accumulate in the footwells or storage areas, as this can lead to accidents related to the brake and accelerator pedals.
Risk for learner drivers
In addition, having a dirty car floor can even lead to your driving test being stopped. If you’re using your own vehicle, the examiner can decide not to proceed if they believe the car contains anything that might be hazardous. As well as having road tax and an MOT, the car must achieve a certain cleanliness threshold.
Learner drivers have had their test stopped due to something on the floor that could interfere with the pedals’ movements, according to a report by UK Car Discount.
There have been other reported instances of the examiner not going ahead because the gearstick was dirty, impacting the driver’s grip.
The message: keep your car clean, especially in winter, when there’s more chance of the floor getting dirty quicker.
Christmas accidents
The number of car accidents increases around Christmas anyway, with Christmas Eve being named as the “most dangerous driving day of the year” in the UK.
According to research by car insurance company Admiral, festive shopping rush results in a spike in car park accidents: the most car crashes in car parks occur on Christmas Eve, after a gradual increase throughout December.
Data gathered from the past nine years also shows Fridays throughout December are particularly dangerous days to drive because people are finishing work early to rush into town centres and do their Christmas shopping.
Rubber car matting
Every time you step into your car, the interior can be damaged by the great outdoors. Mud, dirt, sand, spilled liquids and other substances can ruin your vehicle’s carpet.
A tatty interior not only makes it less pleasant to drive but it can also impact its resale value. While you can’t avoid spreading dirt into the car, you can do something about it.
Protect your vehicle’s interior with rubber car mats, which are an affordable and practical way of preventing permanent damage.
Car mats key features
Rubber mats for cars are resilient in nature, as they are naturally weatherproof.
A durable material, rubber will perform well all year round, even in snow and rain, when more debris will be walked into the vehicle.
Mats will also protect fragile objects, so if you drive a lorry or pick-up truck and transport goods, they make it safer than stacking them on the hard floor.
There are plenty of car floor mat designs including cobbled, checker plate, corrugated, orange peel and small dots. All will combat dirt and moisture effectively.
Coruba can expertly cut the vehicle matting into a specific shape, which can be useful for businesses that may wish to kit out a fleet of vans with bespoke rubber matting, for example.
Easy to maintain
Carpet may soak up liquids, but it stains easily and can be hard to clean and get rid of odours. Nothing makes a car’s interior look worse than trodden-in dirt and stains.
A rubber car mat acts as a barrier against spillages and dirt, thanks to its clever design. The lines and ridges prevent debris and liquids from spreading onto the carpet while you’re driving.
The mats require just a simple wash from time to time with soap and water to keep them in pristine condition. Rubber dries quickly and doesn’t harbour unpleasant odours.
With the festive season approaching, car matting can make a good Christmas gift, especially for someone who recently started driving!