Driving in winter can be hazardous – especially on your wallet! If you aren’t careful, you can easily rack up an enormous amount in fines and even get points on your licence. Using the Highway Code penalty calculator, Xcite Car Leasing looked into some of the more unusual ways you can incur a fine while driving in cold conditions this winter. If you were to commit all five of these offences, it could cost you over £18,000!
Low tyre pressure could result in a £10,000 fine
In the cold weather, tyres lose their pressure much more quickly. It’s recommended that in the winter months you should check your tyre pressure once a week, or you could be fined £2,500 and handed three penalty points for each tyre that fails to meet tyre pressure regulations and legal tread depth rules. If all four tyres fail, you could be looking at a £10,000 fine and 12 points on your license.
A snowy registration plate can cost you £1000 in fines
It’s a well-known fact that leaving snow and ice on your windscreen or roof can result in a fine, but if you aren’t careful to also clear your registration plate, you could be facing up to £1000 in fines. A concealed registration plate, whether covered in snow or dirt and grit from the road, is considered obstructing the police as they use your registration plate to check if your car is properly taxed, insured, and has a valid MOT.
Careless driving on icy roads could cost £2500
The definition of careless driving doesn’t simply apply to using your phone or drifting between lanes. Careless driving can include simple mistakes caused by icy conditions. Following another car too closely, driving too quickly (even within the speed limit) and taking a corner too fast can all become hazardous examples of careless driving when icy roads affect braking times and handling.
Wearing snow boots? Risk a £100 fine and points on your licence
Wearing warm boots with good tread can seem like a no-brainer if you’re heading out into the snow and ice, but if you’re planning on driving you may want to bring a change of footwear. Highway Code 97 states that you should ensure “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”. Violating this code can result in a £100 fine and three points on your driving licence, though it’s more likely that you’ll be given a warning or offered an educational driving seminar instead.
Driving through puddles could end up costing £5000
Be wary when driving through slush and puddles this winter – if you drive through a large puddle and end up splashing a pedestrian you could run the risk of paying a £100 fine or end up with a huge fine of £5000 if the matter is taken to court by the affected pedestrian.
Interested in updating your car before the snowy weather hits? Check out our top ten picks for best cars to drive in winter
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