SOME say snow fall can be a magical sight but many change their mind when it settles on their car overnight.
While a crisp layer of powder may be aesthetically pleasing, it can cause trouble for motorists if they don’t take care of their cars properly.
Snowy rooftop
There is no law stating it is illegal to drive with snow on your car but there is a risk of it obstructing your vision – or impacting other drivers.
The Highway Code sets out that if driving in harsh weather conditions you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle.
This is supported by the section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, meaning it is a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road ahead before you set off.
Failure to do so could incur a fine, but more importantly could place your life, the lives of others in danger.
UK WEATHER WARNINGS
Fine it
If you are caught driving with snow on your car (potentially even on the roof) by police, you can be given a £60 fine and have three penalty points added to your licence.
This is because the snow from your car roof could easily fall on to your windscreen, affecting your visibility while on your journey.
However unintentional, this could mean you end up driving with snow obscuring your view, which would be classed as ‘driving without due consideration’ or ‘using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition’.
Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase stressed drivers could be issued an “instant fine” for this reason.
MORE IN SNOW
“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.”
The same applies if an officer sees snow fall on to the road from your vehicle.
The fine falls in line with section 229 of the Highway code, which outlines correct guidelines for driving in adverse weather conditions.
The rule states that drivers must “remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users” as it could pose a potential hazard for other drivers.
Windscreen worries
Waking to a thick layer of snow on the windscreen can be an annoying start to the day.
However it pays to clean the snow from your windscreen before setting off as it could be dangerous for your and others.
Failure to properly clear the windscreen of snow or ice from your windscreen can result in the driver receiving a fixed penalty notice under the CU20 penalty code.
Using a vehicle with parts or accessories in a “dangerous condition” could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
Simply removing the ice from the driver’s side of the windscreen is not enough – you must de-ice the entire area, using the wipers when the ice has melted.
Highway Code rule 229 states that all of your windows need clearing and demisting.
Although it may seem like a major hassle when in a rush to get to work, it could prove an expensive shortcut if you do not clear all your window panels of snow before setting off on your journey.
The Highway Code stipulates that if you’re driving in adverse weather conditions you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle to ensure you have maximum visibility.
Your vehicle licence plate must also be visible.
A representative from the AA has warned that drivers could suffer harsher penalties if snow falls from their car on to another vehicle as they could then be charged with “driving without reasonable consideration for other road users”.
This road law carries a £100 fine and as many as nine penalty points if an accident is caused.
Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy for the AA, said: “If snow on the roof of your car falls off on to your windscreen, or flies into the path of another car, then you could find yourself in trouble which was completely avoidable.
“With the help of a soft brush and very little effort, you can avoid any penalties by sweeping the snow away.”
“Storing your car under a roof can help – and it’s got a nice side benefit, too.
“If you can, parking in a garage or somewhere undercover can save you time as well as keeping you in the warm a bit longer,” Cousens said.
Not worth a fine
You can receive a £60 fine if you are caught by police driving with snow on your car, or if snow falls from your vehicle.
If snow falls from your car on to another vehicle, you could be fined £100.
In an extreme case where an incident has ended up in court, the consequences could be even more severe.
A driver could be charged with “careless driving” and face a sanction of between 3-9 points and a fine capped at £5,000.
You can also be fined for failing to clear frost entirely from the windscreen and de-icing with your engine running could void your car insurance.
