Drivers urged to follow 3 minute windscreen rule to avoid £100 fine

Drivers across the UK are being urged to follow a three-minute rule to avoid landing a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence this winter.

The cold winter months are pretty miserable when it comes to the weather, with frequent rain, chilly temperatures, frost, fog, ice and even snow, all arriving at this time of the year. These unsettled conditions can prove difficult for drivers, bringing hazardous conditions on the roads and the frustration of dealing with foggy - or frozen - windscreens. Condensation forms on car windows when warm, moist air inside the car meets the cold surface of the glass, causing water vapour to condense and form droplets, and this tends to be more pronounced in winter or in bouts of very cold weather.

The colder the outside temperature is, the more dramatic the temperature drop when warm air hits the glass, which causes windscreens to fog and sometimes freeze over.

A foggy or icy window can take a while to clear, which can be frustrating ahead of a morning commute, but according to car experts, it’s possible to clear the problem in just three minutes - and avoid a £100 fine in the process.

UK law states that drivers must have a clear view of the road before setting off on a journey and failing to properly clear the windscreen can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Fines can increase up to £5,000 and potentially even result in a driving ban in more severe cases, so it’s definitely worth waiting and making sure your view is clear before hitting the road.

According to experts from BigWantsYourCar.com, it’s possible to clear your windscreen of fog and ice in just three minutes using three simple settings.

First, start your engine and turn the heater to its highest setting, then increase the fan to maximum speed to circulate warm air through the car before switching on the windscreen heater. This button usually looks like a windshield with wavy lines or zig-zags and activates thin heating wires embedded in the glass to quickly melt frost, ice, or condensation

A spokesperson at BigWantsYourCar.com said: “Drivers can clear a frozen windscreen in as little as three minutes by using their car’s heating controls in the correct order.

“As temperatures drop below freezing, many motorists are left frustrated by icy windscreens that delay the morning commute or school run. However, there is a quick and effective method that avoids unsafe shortcuts and excessive scraping.

“Start the engine and turn the heater to its highest temperature setting while also increasing the fan speed to maximum. This helps circulate warm air through the vehicle as quickly as possible.

“Drivers should then activate the windscreen heating function if their car has one and make sure all airflow is directed straight onto the windscreen. This allows the ice to melt efficiently from the inside.

“After a few minutes, the ice will begin to loosen and run down the glass. If motorists are in a rush, using an ice scraper alongside the warm airflow can help speed up the process. Once the windscreen is fully clear, drivers can safely set off.”

Drivers are urged to avoid common mistakes that can cause damage to vehicles including pouring hot or lukewarm water onto a frozen windscreen, and to make sure windscreen wipers are switched off before starting the car, as frozen wipers can tear or snap if activated.