Drivers are being warned over the risk of fines as the UK gears up for a bitter cold snap. The Met Office says temperatures could plummet to as low as minus 8C in rural Scotland and northern England by Thursday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold weather health warnings across England, with amber alerts effective from 12pm on Thursday until January 8. Even parts of Wales and secluded areas in southern England are not spared.
They are expecting chills between minus 4C and minus 5C. And as the cold weather closes in, drivers are being warned about their windscreens among other things – and the risk of fines for breaking the rules of the road.
Driving during such frigid conditions can be fraught with danger, and motorists are advised to avoid certain actions if they must navigate snowy, icy roads. It’s best to avoid driving altogether if you feel unsafe.
Staying home is the safest bet unless travel is absolutely necessary. If you do venture out, ensure your journey is essential and consider the risks involved.
Another key piece of advice for drivers is to resist the temptation of setting off with only a partially cleared windscreen, reports Wales Online. If you’re in a rush, it might be tempting to clear just a small section of your frosty windscreen and use that as your viewpoint.
However, this is incredibly risky. You should wait for your windscreen to fully defrost before setting off.
Ensure that your side windows, rear screen and wing mirrors are all clear before you depart. Moreover, if you fail to properly clear your windscreen, you could face a fine for dangerous driving – risking a penalty of up to £2,500 in the most severe cases.
If your area has been hit by a heavy snowfall, it’s likely that a significant amount will have gathered on the roof of your car. While you might assume that this would simply blow off as you drive, freezing temperatures can often cause snow to compact and freeze solid on a car’s roof, creating a potential danger.
A large chunk of frozen snow could easily shatter the windscreen of a car behind you. Although there’s no specific law regarding this issue, you could be fined for offences such as ‘driving without due consideration’ if it was determined that the snow on your roof caused an accident.
Don’t attempt to use your wipers to de-ice your car’s windscreen. On a frosty morning, it might seem like a good idea to activate your car’s windscreen wipers to clear away the ice.
However, in sub-zero temperatures, the wipers can freeze solid quickly, and turning them on could burn out the motors and potentially cause costly damage. Instead, gently lift the wiper arms from the screen to free them from the ice, or spray a small amount of de-icer onto them to ensure they’re frost-free.
Pouring boiling water from the kettle onto your car’s frosty windscreen may seem like a quick fix if you’re in a rush. However, this could cause your screen to crack due to the sudden change in temperature.
If your windscreen has any stone chips, this could exacerbate them. Moreover, if it’s still below 0C outside, this boiling water could freeze and cause your car’s wipers to seize up.
Instead, use a dedicated de-icer and a scraper to clear your car’s screen. When it’s cold outside, standing in the freezing air waiting for your car to defrost is the last thing you want to do. Although it might be tempting to leave your car running to defrost while you wait inside, it’s best to avoid doing so.
A car left running outside a home is essentially an open invitation for thieves, so it’s always better to stay with your vehicle. Moreover, leaving an engine idling isn’t beneficial for the environment, so it’s recommended to de-ice your car manually.