Drivers have been warned that they could be hit with hefty fines after being in breach of the Highway Code when driving in snow and icy conditions.
With temperatures plummeting over the last week, snow and ice has caused travel chaos on the roads. Drivers are now being reminded of the rules they need to follow when driving in adverse conditions.
Most are aware they should fully clear their windscreens of any snow or ice before setting off on their journeys to ensure they have a full view, however, snow is often left uncleared on the roof of the vehicle.
While this is not a specific offence, as cars warm up and are on the move, snow will often fall from the roof down onto the windscreen, which can then cause real problems for drivers as their view can become blocked, reports Birmingham Live.
It can be tricky to fully clear a block of snow using just the windscreen wipers. This could then leave motorists committing an offence by not having their windscreen fully cleared.
If spotted they could be hit with a fine and potentially penalty points if considered to be unsafe driving. There’s also a risk of snow flying from a car roof onto another vehicle’s windscreen.
Motorists are advised to clear snow from the roof before setting off. Markus Lindblad, from Northerner, said: “While there’s no specific law which prohibits you from driving with snow on your roof, if the snow falls onto your windows, obstructing your vision, or another driver’s vision, you could be in trouble. You can actually face fines if you can’t see out of your vehicle’s windows properly.
“In addition to this, if snow falls off your car onto another vehicle, you could be charged with driving without due consideration or careless driving. This could result in a fine of up to £5,000, up to nine penalty points, or both.
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