But what about the really important ones? No, not showering and having a cup of tea, but the all-important de-icing the car? Our personal injury solicitors in Preston and Lancaster can advise that not only is it an offence under the Road Traffic Act to drive without properly defrosting your vehicle, but not doing so can cause road traffic accidents, resulting in personal injury, and at worst, fatalities. The basic principles are simple; you need to be able to see out of your car before you get in it and drive. This is something that may actually land you with a fine. 

 

Failure to properly clear the windscreen of snow or ice could 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 £60 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. 

 

The driver must by law have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle, so it is well worth taking the extra time to fully clear your windscreen and your mirrors too. 

 

At the time of writing, it’s the end of October, the nights are getting somewhat cooler, and the morning grass, and our car windscreens certainly have needed to be de-iced. MG Legal’s team of personal injury solicitors, have already accepted instruction on, and actually had favourable offers accepted for multiple clients who have had early morning, road traffic accidents. 

 

So, you (obviously) want to avoid being fined, and/or inflicting injury upon yourself, and so, you think, what if I just get up a bit sooner, and turn the engine on and go and have that cup of tea? Well, you can’t do that, either. Unnecessarily leaving the engine running on a vehicle parked on the public road is an offence under regulations 98 and 107 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which reinforces rule 123 of the Highway Code. 

 

Whilst the fine for breaching Regulations 98 and 107 is only £20.00, this doubles to £40.00 if not paid in a short period of time. 

 

Whilst we are on the subject of money, if you leave your car unattended, with the engine on, allowing it time to defrost, and it’s stolen, then there is a very strong case that your road traffic insurers will not pay out to replace your car. 

 

The only sure-fire way to avoid being fined, is to give your car the time and attention it needs on a frosty morning. Get up earlier, and defrost that windscreen (and side windows), before setting off on your journey. Ok, this won’t necessarily guarantee that you won’t party to a road traffic accident, bur let’s face it, it does help. 

 

If you need any further advice, the RAC offer the same on their ‘site here. 

 

If you are unfortunate enough to have had a road traffic accident, and need some advice, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the road traffic accident solicitors at MG Legal. Our team of personal injury solicitors have helped tens of thousands of people to get personal injury compensation, and their vehicles repaired, over the last 9 years. All work is accepted on a No-Win No Fee basis, and our results speak for themselves.