Drivers warned to 'stay vigilant' over £100 on-the-spot fines for winter mistake

Drivers have been warned to "stay vigilant" as £100 on-the-spot fines are issued for a common mistake. Motorists with faulty windscreen wipers is considered illegal and could see motorists penalised with an on-the-spot fine of £100, which could rise to as much as £1,000 if the case goes to court, Kwik Fit warned.

Ben Pitcher from DPF Experts said: “This highlights the need for drivers to take their vehicle's condition seriously. With fines potentially reaching £375million annually, it’s a financial burden that drivers can easily avoid with proper care.

"While lifting windshield wipers may seem like a good way to prevent them from freezing and can help reduce damage to the rubber, there’s still a risk of wear to the spring and arm mechanism over time which can cause problems further down the line.”

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"Instead of staying vigilant, they simply wait until they take their cars in for a service or MOT to be told there is a problem with this piece of kit - meaning they could be driving around for many months with faulty wipers," Pitcher warned. The expert added: "Making sure your car has visibility is especially important during the winter months, with issues like heavy snow, ice build-up, and misted windscreens testing their durability and affecting your ability to see the road clearly."

Kwik Fit explained that if a driver is involved in an accident and the “insurers find out that you were knowingly driving with faulty windscreen wipers, it’s unlikely that they will pay out”. Also, if you’re involved in an accident and your insurers find out that you were knowingly driving with faulty windscreen wipers, it’s unlikely that they will pay out.

Despite these risks, many drivers aren’t aware of the warning signs that their wiper blades need to be replaced. Instead of staying vigilant, they simply wait until they take their cars in for a service or MOT to be told there is a problem with this piece of kit.