Today Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is said to  announce that vehicles with new technology enabling them to stay in their lanes automatically will be legal within months.

The bold move will help to prevent up to 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade as it cuts out human error, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

It will mean motorists in Britain may be the first in the world to be able to legally take their hands off the steering wheel and check their emails while driving.

The cars will travel at a maximum of 37mph and on motorways only.

They will not be able to change lanes, but will automatically slow down as they react to other traffic.

The driver will be able to take control in an emergency.

The cars will help to improve the traffic flow, reduce commute times and slash emissions as the ride will be smoother, ministers said.

Announcing a consultation, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “This is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable.”

The tech will appear only in newly-built cars.

It cannot be adapted for use in cars already on the road.

But Edmund King, of the AA, said: “More needs to be done to test these systems.”

If you’re driving home for Christmas or going anywhere in the car make sure you’re staying safe, here  some tips to avoid getting in any trouble

In the run-up to Christmas, many drivers might want to get in the festive spirit as they make their way to finish up their Christmas shopping before heading home to visit the family.

Some might want to decorate their vehicle for the occasion, while others will be blaring Wham! or Mariah Carey and sing along at an incredible volume.

But despite the holiday fun, the most important thing is to always be safe in the car.

Driving at Christmas can be exciting, however there are some little-known things that could put your safety at risk and invalidate your insurance.

“Whilst singing along to christmas songs and adding decorations to your car may seem like fun, they could also be a huge distraction and land you a hefty fine or increased car insurance premium.

“Keeping your car safe from crime is also increasingly important during the festive season, as the winter months are notorious for car theft.

“Always keep your vehicle locked and avoid leaving expensive items on display.”

Hereare the top three Christmas driving mistakes to avoid to save you from fines of up to £5,000.

Decorating your car for Christmas

Last month, over 3,240 Brits searched google for ‘car reindeer antlers’ and a staggering 10,320 have been looking for ‘Christmas car decorations’.

Whilst Christmas car decorations may definitely add some festive cheer to your motor, they could also invalidate your insurance policy, as companies may refuse to pay out on claims if you’re involved in an accident.

This is because decorating a car is considered a vehicle modification. Companies invalidate cover because upgrading the aesthetics of a vehicle can make the car more attractive to thieves and criminals. It could also mean your car insurance premiums increase, as the likelihood of you claiming on a policy would have also increased.

Anything from snowflake stickers to tinsel could cause the agreement to be compromised, so it might be worth keeping the festive décor to just your home.

Having a festive sing-along

When the weather gets colder and the twinkling lights are switched on, we love nothing more than a Christmas sing-along, but it seems the car isn’t the best place to belt out a bit of Bublé, as those who sing and dance behind the wheel could be hit with a hefty fine of up to £5,000 if they get caught.

Alongside this, you could also pick up a ‘driving without due care and attention’ or even a ‘dangerous driving’ charge.

The penalties can be severe, with a fine of up to £5,000 and nine points on your licence in the most serious of circumstances.

Driving with a tree on top of your car

It’s not illegal to drive home with your Christmas tree tied to your roof but you could land in trouble with the law if it’s not tied down securely enough.

The Highway Code states motorists must secure their load and ensure heavy and sharp objects are safe.

Your Christmas tree must also be small enough to be transported safely. Large trees should not be carried by small cars or vans, as they could easily fall off and cause an accident, which would invalidate your insurance policy.

Police officers will stop drivers if they deem a load to be too great and can issue fines of £100 for breaking the rules.

To avoid increasing your risk of an accident, or landing a fine from the police, ensure your Christmas tree is properly fitted to your car roof before driving home. If you’re in doubt, ask a professional to help assist you tie the tree down.

A TRANSPORT-mad six-year-old boy can recite the entire Highway Code from memory.

And Nathan Henry-McGhie is even teaching his mum Peta to pass her driving test.

The lad began studying the152 page road users guide just six months ago when he found it lying around his home.

Now Nathan can recognise every road and traffic sign, knows the names of each bit of legislation and can recount each section word for word.

Construction management student Peta, 30, said: “He became obsessed with the book.

“I have my driving theory in December so he tests me on sections. The thing is that he entirely taught himself to read it.”

His memory of the driving bible has become so refined he has even instructed a taxi driver on the rules of the road.

Nathan, who was diagnosed with autism in February last year, has a photographic memory and an interest in transport.

He can also name all the stops on the London Underground.

Peta, from Welling in the capital’s South East, added: “His memory is just so impressive. I’m super proud of him.

“When he was two, he could count from one to 100 — he could be the next Albert Einstein.”

For those of us who need help with their road signs we offer help on our website.