Drivers have been warned over a simple mistake this winter that could end up costing them thousands of pounds.
Snow has swept across the UK this week, with some areas expecting eight inches of flakes to fall on Friday amid sub-zero temperatures - but failing to clear it off your car puts you at risk of breaking the law.
While it is not illegal to drive with snow or ice on your car's surfaces, you are required under the Highway Code to be able to see out of every glass panel of your vehicle, reports Birmingham Live.
This is backed up by section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which says a driver must always ensure they have a clear view of the road before setting off.
Even having some snow on top of your car when moving carries the risk of being punished for offences such as "driving without due consideration" or "using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition", as it could potentially affect the view of other road users when it falls.
Driving a car "in a dangerous condition" comes with a £2,500 fine, while careless driving carries an unlimited fine.
The RAC says: "Even if you’re only making a two-minute journey, by not thoroughly cleaning your car of snow, ice or condensation... you’re breaking the law and leaving yourself liable to a run in with the police."
It comes as the Met Office issued snow and ice warnings across vast swathes of the UK as freezing weather continues to grip the nation.
By Sunday alerts will cover almost the entire country, with the weather agency saying a mixture of rain and snow could cause perilously icy conditions on the roads.
The Met Office says this may result in "some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces" and that there is "a chance that road, air and rail services could be disrupted or delayed".
