Winter is well and truly upon us, but while this is a magical time of the year for so many reasons, when it comes to driving our vehicles the cold season can be a pretty treacherous time.
As well as the increased risk of crashes, drivers are also more likely to receive fines and hefty repair bills in winter. And with Christmas costing a small fortune for the average family, this isn’t exactly the best time of the year!
The good news is, with a bit of common sense, many of these can be easily avoided. So to help protect your finances, here’s what you need to do as a motorist this winter.
Not Driving Carefully
When winter comes around, it can be easy to make mistakes and lose control of your vehicle. But although the adverse weather conditions may be to blame, this won’t make much of a difference to insurance companies who will hit you in the pocket when it comes to renewal.
Legal and Compliance Director at National Accident Helpline, Jonathan White said: "The harsher winter weather brings additional responsibilities for any driver. Failing to prepare and maintain your vehicle properly can be dangerous, lead to fines and invalidate your insurance policy.
"The weather at this time of the year means you may find yourself driving in heavy rain, fog, snow, or ice. As a result, drivers need to take additional cautions to minimise the risk of dangerous or fatal accidents."
Driving With Snow On The Roof
When most of us get to our vehicle and notice the top is covered in snow, we don’t tend to give it much thought. But driving with snow on your car could actually cause an accident if it happened to fly off and hit another car, which is why doing so can land you in trouble!
The law says that if you’re found to have snow on your vehicle while you’re driving, you could be hit with a fine potentially reaching £2,500.
Mr White said: "It's not specifically illegal to drive with snow on your vehicle. But the police can fine under the Road Traffic Act which says you must be able to see out of every glass panel. That means no snow on the roof, because it might fall onto the windscreen, and no snow, ice or dirt on any glass.”
So be sure to sweep off any snow that may cause a hindrance to your view or create a disruption for other drivers.
Snow On Lights And Reg Plate
Snow on your roof or windshield isn’t the only place it can get you in trouble. If the cold white stuff is on your number plate or lights, this could also see you fined by eagle-eyed police.
Having your number plates visible is a legal requirement, so if they’re being obstructed this can land you a fine of up to £1,000.
"You must also ensure that there‘s nothing covering your mirrors, lights and number plates," explained Mr White.
"Keeping your vehicle clear is also important from an insurance perspective. It might render your policy invalid if you had an accident and your insurer believed you were negligent."
Not Having A Clear View
Whether it’s a build-up of snow, ice or grit, poor weather and bad road conditions in winter can cause your view to be impeded when driving. But while it may be tempting to drive off if you’re in a hurry, this is not only unsafe for you and those around you, but it's also likely to get you fined if a police officer spots you.
Mr White said: "More importantly, adequate vehicle maintenance for winter driving is essential for road safety. When you’re driving in the winter it’s essential to pay extra attention to pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikes and other road users.
"We would advise all drivers to keep your windscreen and headlights clean, clear your car of all snow and ice, reduce your speed and take a break on longer journeys."
Failing To Maintain Paintwork
Winter can pose unique challenges for your vehicle’s paintwork. Grit which helps stop the road icing over can be particularly corrosive if left to build up, causing damage to your paint and bodywork.
Be sure to keep your car protected during the winter if you want your paintwork to look its best. Whether this is by giving it a quick wipe down every so often, or going the whole nine yards with a full paint protection film, the cold season is when your vehicle’s exterior is most at risk, so take appropriate action to help keep it pristine.
So that’s what you need to remember when it comes to driving in the winter. Not only will following these steps keep you safe, but it’ll also ensure you avoid fines. And let’s face it, nobody needs a fine at this time of the year, what with Christmas and all the rest of it to pay for!
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