Drivers face £80 fines over windscreen defrost mistake that's 'illegal'

Drivers have been warned they face £80 fines over a common cold weather mistake that's "illegal". Defrosting your car in the winter months in Birmingham and beyond could see you slapped with a £80 fine for idling, motorists have been warned.

Liam Barnes, manager of the private number plate site TopReg, warned: "While properly defrosting your car is crucial during cold weather, many drivers are unaware that they could be committing a crime if they’re doing it incorrectly on a public road.

"Under the Road Traffic Act 1998 it is an illegal offence to leave your engine on whilst you clear away snow and ice from your vehicle on a public road. It can also result in a £20 fine." Drivers who have left their vehicle idling on a public street could face penalties of £20, with the fine doubling if it is not paid within 28 days and reaching a maximum of £80 after a further two weeks.

READ MORE: ITV This Morning star has 'weeks to live' after turning down cancer treatment

READ MORE: State pensioners being handed £1,700 each due to long-standing rule

READ MORE Premier Inn customers furious over change to hotel bars that's 'needless'

The RAC said: "While it may be some time before more councils start getting tough with drivers who idle their engines, schools can now draw attention to the issue themselves by purchasing an RAC School Clean Air Zone banner, which urges drivers to ‘show they care about our air’ by turning off their engines.

"The banners, which cost £60 including delivery and VAT, are produced for the RAC by Ottimo Digital. The RAC makes no profit from the sale of the banners and Ottimo Digital has agreed to print them at a reduced margin." RAC roads policy spokesman Nicholas Lyes said: “No idling zones, and the idea that local authorities should think about replacing speed humps which cause motorists to brake and then accelerate again with other safety measures to slow vehicles down, are eminently sensible suggestions.

"Both have the potential to improve the quality of air locally. Empowering town and city planners to consider air quality when it comes to the location and new developments and infrastructure is also critical. Whether it is outside schools, picking up relatives from stations, or in a car park, we can all do our bit by switching off our engines and reducing our emissions.

“Research shows 23% of all car journeys are two miles or under, so consider whether you really need to drive, cutting out just a few of these types of car journeys will make a real difference.”