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COSTLY ERRORS

Urgent warning over six car blunders that could cost you thousands in fines

DRIVERS have been warned they could face thousands in hidden fines over winter driving blunders.

As the cold weather sweeps in, road conditions become more treacherous and hit motorists with more issues - especially in the morning.

Drivers are facing fines for winter driving blunders
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Drivers are facing fines for winter driving blundersCredit: Getty

But there are common driving mistakes that could see road users facing hefty penalties.

These winter blunders could make your driving more dangerous and get the attention of the police.

Driving with condensation, ice or snow on your windscreen

As it gets colder, more ice, snow and condensation covers your car windows - and can be a real pain to get rid of.

But if you don't clear your car's windows before you set off then you will end up breaking the law.

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If you cannot see clearly then you are breaking The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 - which says “All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road”.

And if you are caught driving without a cleared windows then you could face a fine of up to £5,000.

Earlier we told how almost half of drivers ADMITTED to a dangerous and illegal driving habit involving clearing their windscreens.

Obscuring your number plate

Clearing and de-icing your car's windows can take most of your time in the morning, but make sure not to forget your reg plates.

The white and yellow plates on your car pick up just as much ice, snow and dirt during the winter months and can often be completely hidden.

But your reg plate has to be readable when you're on the road - otherwise you could end up in trouble.

Driving with an obscured number plate could land you a potential fine of up to £1,000.

Driving with snow on your car

While you remember to clear snow from your windscreen to be able to see, you should remember to clear snow from the top of your car as well.

If fresh flurries have left a pile of snow on your roof and you drive with it still there - you could be breaking the law.

Snow from the roof could easily slide down and cover your windscreen - blocking your vision.

It could also land on the road or the pavement and make it more dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians.

If caught you could be fined £5,000 under  the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 3 - Careless, and inconsiderate, driving.

Leaving your car to idle

Leaving your motor running to defrost it can be very tempting, but it could get you in trouble over several road laws.

If you leave it running on a public road (not a private driveway) then you could be breaking the the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which reinforces Rule 123 of the Highway Code, outlining “you must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road”.

This could get you a £20 fine but it may rocket to £1,000 if you keep doing it.

Leaving your engine running also makes your car easier to steal - especially if you leave it unattended.

While this won't get you a fine, you could see your insurance invalidated.

Forgetting to put your headlights on

In the rush to get to work in the morning after the gruelling task of defrosting the motor, you might forget one other thing - turning your headlights on.

Visibility is much poorer in winter, especially with darker mornings and nights.

If the police see you driving without your headlights on they could charge you with driving without due Care and attention.

This could land you a £100 fine and three points on your licence. However, the maximum penalty could result in a court visit, a £5000 fine and 9 points on your licence.

Having weather-worn tyres

The winter months can wreak havoc on your car's tyres.

The harsher temperatures and conditions often lead to more wear and tear.

But tyres that did well in summer might not be suitable for winter, and you have been urged to check.

If your tyre treads are damaged then it could lead to you aquaplaning (when a layer of water is allowed to build up between a vehicle’s tyres and the surface of the road beneath) and car accidents.

You could have to fork out a £2,500 fine for driving without due care and attention if police think your tyres are not suitable.

You can also rack up three penalty points for EACH tyre that does not meet road standards.

Hayley O’Connor at Go Car Credit said: “Winter weather brings a whole new set of challenges so it’s important drivers are aware of the law to avoid hefty fines.

Read more on the Scottish Sun

"At this time of year and in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, holding on to your money has never been more important.

"We've pulled together top tips for winter driving to help drivers tackle the roads fine-free this winter.”

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