How to stop windscreen wipers freezing in the cold and avoid a £1,000 fine
BEING unable to see properly out the front of your vehicle is very dangerous, and could leave you open to a hefty fine.
Driving with your vision obscured is an offence that could land you with a £1,000 fine - whether it's a badly de-iced windshield, a mucky car or a chip in your eye line.
And broken windscreen wipers could add to the problem - here's how to prevent your windscreen wipers getting jammed under ice this winter.
With temperatures nationwide hitting sub-zero lows once again after a record mild spell to kick off the year, driving has become that much more difficult.
Your windscreen is vulnerable to snow and ice while you're driving, and it's crucial you keep it clear for visibility.
This is how you keep you can keep your windscreen clear and your wipers moving.
Check the blades aren't stuck before you set off
If the windscreen doesn't appear to be layered with ice and there's just a bit of manageable snow, it might be tempting to hit the wipers and clear the snow off.
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But that could be a big mistake.
Some vehicles' wipers will malfunction and possibly break if they're stuck to the windscreen.
The advises: "You risk breaking the mechanism and even blowing a fuse - an easily avoidable problem."
So play it safe and make sure there's room for manoeuvre on your windscreen before you set off.
Put cardboard between your wipers and the glass
It sounds obvious, but putting a thin and rugged material like cardboard in between your windscreen wipers and the glass will stop the two sticking together overnight.
That easy trick will ensure the blades can move in the morning and could save you some grief later on.
De-ice often - and well
Clearing the snow and ice off your vehicle with a good plastic de-icer is one of the most important steps in your winter driving routine.
Ignore the life hacks.
AA head of roads policy, Jack Couzens, told us: "By far the best way to fully clear your windscreen and windows of ice is to spend five minutes scraping them clean with a scraper.”
And make absolutely sure there's de-icer liquid in your car's wash-screen fluid.
If there isn't, your windscreen is more vulnerable to shards of ice.
And you could face a hefty fine.
Here are our top winter driving tips as the weather is set to get even more torrid over the coming days.
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Five essential items including a hot drink and a well-charged phone should always be at your side, too.
And keep an eye out for these crucial road law changes in 2022 - or face fines of up to £10,000.