Motorists warned of £2,500 fine if they fail to do this one thing before driving in snow
Drivers have been warned that they risk fines up to £2,500 if they forget to do one thing before setting off in snowy or icy weather.
Motorists have been urged to do one thing before setting off in snowy or icy weather to prevent the risk of life-threatening accidents and a hefty fine.
Various parts of the UK have experienced snow, with the Met Office forecasting more spells in the coming days amid a sharp drop in temperature.
To help all motorists stay safe behind the wheel in the snow, Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at the dashcam manufacturer Nextbase, has urged all drivers to keep their vehicle's windows clear.
He explained: "On a bracingly cold morning with snow all around you, it might seem tempting to just get into your car and drive, relying on your wipers to clear any snow.
"But it is absolutely crucial that all of the snow on your vehicle be removed so you can drive safely and not have it fall into your field of view while driving."
Whilst few drivers have time to spare on the morning commute, it is vital that they spend enough time to properly clear all of the windows on their vehicle before they set off.
This includes any snow or ice that is stuck to the windscreen, spanning the whole width of the screen to make sure motorists keep their blind spots to a minimum.
Nextbase also recommended that drivers sweep all of the snow away from the roof and bonnet of the vehicle to prevent it being flicked up or fall down onto the windscreen when the vehicle is on the move.
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Motorists who fail to clear enough snow and ice from their windscreen risk severely limiting their visibility on the road, running the risk of causing serious accidents.
In most cases, drivers with too much ice or snow on their car could risk an on-the-spot fine of £60, however this penalty may rise to £100 if it is not paid within a fixed period of time.
However, if a restricted view leads to a motorist acting dangerously behind the wheel, they could end up facing fines of up to £2,500, meaning it is worth spending a few extra minutes with an ice scraper and a brush.
Bryn also suggested that drivers keep a steady distance from the vehicle ahead of them to stay safe when travelling in snowy or icy conditions.
He added: "When the weather is wet, double your following distance from at least two seconds to at least four seconds. Watch as the driver ahead of you passes a landmark like a pole or a bridge, then count how many seconds it takes you to reach the same point.
"Four seconds should mean if the car ahead of you stops ahead of you in a hurry you have space to stop too."
