'Easy to break in winter' driving rule could cost 'up to £1,000'

'Easy to break in winter' driving rule could cost 'up to £1,000' People could end up in trouble with the law if they ignore this rule Not clearing your windscreen properly this winter could cost drivers £1,000 in fines and potentially lead to three penalty points on their licence. Drivers could easily be caught out by this common driving rule when bitter temperatures leave car windows frozen solid. When temperatures drop, rushing out without properly clearing your windscreen could be considered a criminal offence. Rule 229 of the Highway Code makes it clear that, before setting off, drivers must be able to see and remove "all snow and ice". This includes every window as well as clear mirrors, lights and number plates. The code states that, before you set off, drivers must: - Be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows. - Ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible. - Make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly. - Remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users. - Check that your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfall or severe weather is predicted. Overnight frost, snow and ice can hold drivers up in the morning, but it is never an excuse if the police catch anyone driving dangerously with unclear windows. The punishment is serious, with a £1,000 fine and three penalty points for "Using a Vehicle in a Dangerous Condition". The RAC clarifies that while the points are non-negotiable, the fine varies. While a standard roadside ticket is usually around £60, if the case goes to court or is deemed a severe risk, the maximum fine can scale up to £1,000 for a standard car (or £2,500 if the vehicle is classed as a goods vehicle). This kind of problem is easily avoided if people keep one item near their cars before temperatures drop. Keeping a bottle of de-icer in your car is always a good idea in the winter, as well as keeping one inside your house for those mornings when the weather decides to freeze your car doors shut. Ensure our latest driving headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings Because commercial de-icers contain high concentrations of alcohol, they have incredibly low freezing points. This means the liquid will not freeze, expand, or cause the container to burst from the cold. It is worth keeping a room-temperature bottle on hand, though, if possible. Although the bottle remains liquid, it becomes extremely cold if left out in sub-zero temperatures all night. While it won't freeze, cold de-icer works much more slowly and is less effective at melting windshield ice than a bottle kept at room temperature inside your home. Bringing a relatively warm bottle out from the house melts the frost far quicker.