How you could be fined for de-icing your car
As the weather begins to cool and snow begins to fall, it can be tempting to leave the car’s engine running while waiting for the icy windshield to thaw. But motorists need to be aware they could be fined up to £1,000 for repeatedly de-icing their cars incorrectly, highway experts warn.
The Royal Automobile Club charity (most commonly known as the RAC) has warned motorists they could face hefty fines if they leave their engines running unattended on a public road.
This is because leaving your running engine unattended is an offense known as “idling” and is a breach of regulation 123 of the UK Highway Code under regulations 98 and 107 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
Additionally, according to the RAC, an engine sitting at rest can be a harmful pollutant to the environment; It can affect the surrounding air in the area by producing twice as much emissions as a moving engine.
The Royal College of Physicians estimates that 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, with engine idling contributing to this.
If you fail to switch off your engine when instructed to do so, you could find yourself issued with a fixed penalty notice of £20. If this amount is not paid within 28 days, penalties can reach up to £40. This amount will increase by up to £80 if the previous penalty is not paid within the next two weeks. If you are found to be a repeat offender, the penalty could ultimately rise to up to £1,000.
The rule does not apply if you are driving your own driveway as it is not a public highway, but drivers are advised to use caution on public roads where highway rules apply.
Lawyer Gary Rycroft spoke BBC Morning Live He provided information about the dangers of deicing and advised listeners on how to avoid hefty fines.
He warned that failure to properly clear snow or ice from your windshield could also result in fines. He explained safety issues such as “porthole opening,” which means people open a small, circular porthole onto the icy surface rather than clearing the entire windshield, can lead to a dangerous loss of vision while driving.
Driving a vehicle with parts or accessories in a “dangerous condition” could result in a £60 fine and three penalty points.
It is not enough to clear ice from the driver’s side of the windshield; Once the ice melts, you need to de-ice the entire area using the squeegees.
Over the years, many vehicles have been stolen because the owner left the car running with the keys in the ignition and let the ice melt.
Here is the advice published by the RAC on how to de-ice your car legally and safely:
- Plan ahead and purchase a dedicated ice scraper and defroster to speed things up. Spray the defroster on the windshield before removing ice with a scraper.
- It is also worth lifting your wipers manually to check if they are frozen to the windshield. If so, opening them could potentially cause the engine to burn out; This is also an expensive solution. It may also cause wiper blades to tear.
- If you don’t have de-icer on hand, you can use a simple solution of water with a teaspoon of salt to pour over the affected areas. Another homemade remedy is to add a solution of three parts vinegar to one part water to a spray bottle as a homemade de-icer.
- Remember, if you’re heading out for the day, be sure to keep a spare defroster and scraper in your car. Temperatures can drop quickly in the evening, meaning you may need to repeat the process before leaving for work.
- Avoid using credit cards or CD cases to scrape ice and frost off your windows. This method could potentially break your card as well as scratch your windshield.
- Never pour boiling water on glasses; Because when boiling water comes into contact with freezing cold car windows, it can at least weaken the glass and at worst cause it to crack.
