The £50 fine UK drivers need to know about as weather warnings come into effect

The £50 fine UK drivers need to know about as weather warnings come into effect Drivers risk a £50 warning if they don’t switch their fog lights off once visibility is clear - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in As weather warnings for fog come into place across parts of England, drivers risk a £50 fine for not observing a simple Highway Code rule. The Met Office has issued a yellow fog warning across the Midlands, London, Wales, Yorkshire, the north west, east, south east and south west of England. The warning began at 6pm and will remain in place until 10am on Tuesday, meaning commuters will have to battle through the mist on their journey to work. The forecaster warned that public transport and flights may be affected. Motorists also face the challenge of restricted visibility, but with the help of fog lights they should be able to make the journey into the office without too much difficulty. But when visibility clears, motorists should remember Rule 236 of the Highway Code: “You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.” Those who don’t switch off their fog lights when the fog clears risk a £50 fixed penalty notice, according to the AA. The Met Office has warned drivers to check road conditions before driving and leave extra journey time. Drivers should be confident in switching on fog lights and check they are working prior to their journeys. It won’t be the first time Britons have woken up to fog this month with the Met Office issuing yellow warnings multiple times last week in Northern Ireland, London, and the south-east of England. The fog is expected to give way to colder, frostier weather conditions in the south of England later this week. Meanwhile, parts of Scotland can expect wintry showers. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly, said: "Snow showers could briefly fall on lower ground in northern Scotland and the Northern Isles, mainly Shetland, overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday. However, snow may only settle on higher ground and this is relatively normal for the time of year." Temperatures are expected to fall below average widely by Thursday and Friday, as frost becomes more widespread. The far north east will also feel particularly cold in stronger winds, the forecaster said. By midnight on Friday, Manchester is expected to see freezing temperatures while parts of Scotland will see 1C. Met Office five day forecast: Tonight: Apart from showers in the far north, clear skies for northern and central areas allow frost and fog patches to form overnight, Rain and cloud pushes into the south and southwest. Milder in the far southwest, but feeling chilly elsewhere. Tuesday: Dense fog in central areas may linger tomorrow, but plenty of bright spells in the north when it clears. Cloud and rain pushes into much of England and Wales later. Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: Rainy across the south on Wednesday. Brighter further north, and drier and brighter for all towards the weekend. Becoming colder, with wintry showers possible in Scotland. Frosts become increasingly widespread. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] 08003688845 innovation