37% of British drivers are breaking the law and risking crashes on winter mornings by failing to clear ice effectively from their car windows, according to new research.
The research of more than 1,000 cars, commissioned by the accident management company Accident Exchange, found that more than a third of commuters set off with dangerous visibility to at least one window.
Rule 229 of the Highway Code states: “Before you set off you must be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows and make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly.”
The research also revealed that 29% of motorists failed to clear their front and rear windows before tackling the morning rush hour, and many set off with just a small letterbox gap to see through, relying on their car’s heating system to clear the windows during the course of the journey. 63% of cars observed had cleared both the front and back windows effectively.
Lee Woodley from Accident Exchange, said: “It’s commonsense, but people need to adjust their morning routine to allow time to start their commutes in safety.
“Reduced visibility, combined with potentially icy road conditions, is the perfect mix for an accident. The chances of crashing are already higher in the winter months without any self-inflicted failures.”
Click here to read the full Accident Exchange news release.
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