4 days Ago By Luke Chillingsworth
Motorists have been told they must do a “crucial” thing before setting off to avoid a hefty fine as temperatures drop. Met Office snow and ice warnings are in place in some parts of the country this week but some road users may be unaware of a simple rule that could catch them out this Winter . It may appear harmless to leave a bit of snow on the car bonnet or roof before setting off but this is actually not allowed.
It’s not enough to clear a car windscreen with motorists' told they must ensure their vehicle is completely clear before setting off. This is down to the risks of snow falling into motorists' field of view while travelling, potentially blocking vital road hazards from drivers’ vision. Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase stressed drivers could be issued an “instant fine”.
Bryn said: “On a bracingly cold morning with snow all around you, it might seem tempting to just get into your car and drive, relying on your wipers to clear any snow. “But it is absolutely crucial that all of the snow on your vehicle be removed so you can drive safely and not have it fall into your field of view while driving. “It might be surprising, but police have the power to issue an instant £60 fine and three penalty points if they see snow on your vehicle or falling off while you are driving.
” Car insurance experts and breakdown specialists at the RAC have previously warned the risk comes from snow falling onto the windscreens and into motorists’ vision. They suggest wiping snow or frost off every window and use a proper scraper or de-icer tool to ensure the job is done properly. They added: “As for the snow on the roof, while, again, there is no law stating it is illegal to drive with snow on your roof, if it falls off onto your windscreen while driving or flies into the path of another car then you could be penalised for such offences as 'driving without due consideration' or 'using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition' - again, not worth the risk.
” The AA said that a "soft brush is good for clearing the front grille" of the vehicle. They stressed this should be checked "otherwise there is risk of the engine overheating". It is also important to make sure that car headlights are clean and working before starting a journey.
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