Bugs Throwing Themselves On Your Windscreen Could Land You With A Fine & Points
Thursday, 25. April 2019
It’s that time of year when sap starts falling from the trees, birds feel the need to leave a present on your windscreen and bugs start committing suicide by throwing themselves on your windscreen. The net result is a difficult to see through windscreen.
If this happens you need to clean it as quickly as possible because it’s illegal to drive your car when the screen is difficult to see through with some hefty penalties.
Car owners have a responsibility to make sure their driving doesn’t negatively impact other motorists.
One way this could happen is by having a dirty windscreen or another glass surface which is required to be clear while on the road, such as the side mirrors or rear windscreen.
Having a filthy windscreen could impair your vision and similarly your decision making and reaction times and could lead to an accident.
Regulation 30 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, says that drivers are required to keep class surfaces clean and clear.
“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,” the law states.
If you were to have an accident as a result of having a dirty windscreen then you could be fined and charged for careless driving.
Punishments for careless driving range from an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points.
However, if your case was to go to court then you could see that fine increase to a massive £5,000 and receive up to nine penalty points.
Serious offences could also see you lose your driving licence.
Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Careless driving is all about penalising the negative impact you have on other drivers.
“If a dirty windscreen is stopping you from driving safely then you should expect to be caught and charged.
“Not having clear vision in low sun situations is a really serious issue.
“In 2016 ‘dazzling sun’ was recorded by the police as a factor in 28 fatal crashes, 463 serious injury crashes, and just over 2,100 slight injury crashes.
“The best solution is to keep your windscreen clean, inside and out, and to carry a pair of sunglasses all year round.”
In order to keep your screen clear AutoExpress have tested a number of windscreen washes. Their Best Buy for 2019 was Dirtex Aquaphobic Screen Wash as a cost of £13.95 for a litre. Visit www.chipex.co.uk . Their Recommended award went to Angelwax Clarity at a cost of 7.95 per litre. Both were evenly matched but Dirtex edged out Angelwax as the dilution ratios actually made Dirtex cheaper.
So don’t risk a fine and up to 9 points on your licence. By Graham Hill
