21/01/2020
THE 7 BIGGEST WINTER DRIVING MYTHS REVEALED
1. It’s illegal to drive in winter boots or wellies
FALSE
Rule 97 of the Highway Code says motorists should ensure “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.
It’s down to motorists to make sure their footwork is up to the task of controlling a vehicle.
You should be able to show that you have full control of your car in the event that you’re stopped by police to check your footwear - which will be pretty tough if you have half a muddy field caked on your wellies.
2. Your car insurance is invalid if you fit winter tyres winter-driving-myths-tyres
TRUE AND FALSE
Winter tyres have a deeper tread depth than standard tyres and are made from a softer compound that doesn’t harden so much in cold weather. They’re designed to disperse water and snow, allowing the rubber to move around – improving contact with the road.
Although safer than standard tyres, some insurance providers may consider winter tyres to be a modification. Modifications should be declared and unfortunately they usually increase the cost of your premium.
However, most providers in the UK have signed up to the Association of British Insurers Winter Tyres Motor Insurance Commitment. This recognises the safety benefits of winter tyres and means they can be fitted without having to tell your insurer.
Check with your provider to see if they’ve signed up to the winter tyre commitment.
Just make sure you change them before Spring! Because of their softer material, winter tyres wear out more quickly, give you worse fuel efficiency, and present traction and handling issues.
3. Leaving your car's engine running to warm it up or de-ice your windows invalidates the insurance if the vehicle is stolen
TRUE
You could be taking a massive risk by leaving your car unattended with the engine running, no matter what the reason.
Most policies have a ‘keys exclusion’ clause, meaning that you won’t be covered if your car is stolen while you leave the engine running.
4. You can be fined for leaving the engine running to defrost your windscreen
winter-driving-myths-windscreen
TRUE
Leaving your car running while stationary is often referred to as engine idling. It’s an offence under Rule 123 of The Highway Code and authorities have the power to issue £20 fixed penalties for any contravention.
However, the chances of being fined are slim as police forces in England and Wales only enforced 494 penalties between 2015 and March 2019.
5. You must carry a winter emergency kit in your car by law
winter-driving-myths-breakdown
FALSE
There’s no law requiring drivers to carry any kind of emergency kit, although it’s definitely wise as the weather turns colder.
You may want to pack warm clothes, a de-icer and jump leads along with other helpful items.
6. It's illegal to drive with ice on your windscreen
winter-driving-myths-de-ice
TRUE
Rule 229 of the Highway Code says: “Before you set off you MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows.”
If your windscreen is obstructed in any way, the police can fine you £60. No matter how tempting it is to set off with a partially clear windscreen make sure your windows are fully de-iced before taking to the road.
In addition, whilst there is no law stating that it’s illegal to drive with snow on your roof, if it falls onto your windscreen or into the path of another vehicle then you could be fined for driving without due consideration. It’s not worth the risk, so always make sure your car roof is clear before you move off.
7. Winter driving is dangerous because of reduced daylight hours
TRUE
This one should come as no surprise really.
According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), around two in five of all collisions year round happen when it’s dark.
It's difficult to be able to say that driving in the dark is more dangerous than driving in daylight; whilst there are more of us on the road in the day, there are a series of extra factors which make driving at night dangerous, chief of which is reduced visibility.
We also have to deal with hard-to see pedestrians, less-confident new drivers who may not have driven much after dark, and changes from well-lit to poorly-lit areas which demand our eyes adjust quickly.
Darkness is particularly dangerous when combined with poor weather and road conditions. Department for Transport statistics reveal that that there were 22% more accidents in snowy or icy conditions on motorways in 2017 outside daylight hours than the same conditions during the day.
Source: RAC Website Jan2020
