Motorists warned of 'dangerous' de-icing hack that carries hefty £2,500 fine

Car windscreens must be properly cleared before setting off (Image: Getty)

Drivers could be slapped with an eye-watering £2,500 fine for making a "dangerous" de-icing mistake as temperatures fall this Autumn and Winter. 

During cold mornings, it may be tempting for individuals to quickly brush ice and frost off their windscreens and get on their way. 

Quickly scratching off just enough for individuals to see out the windscreen may appear like a quick solution but road users are warned it could backfire.

This may be considered dangerous with drivers unable to see all the hazards on the road. 

According to the Highway Code, motorists must ensure their windscreen is completely clear of frost and ice cover before heading off on journeys. 

Trying to drive with a small window of clear screen is not allowed (Image: Getty)

The experts at motoring firm Windscreen Wipers agree, stressing that only getting rid of a “patch” of ice would be nowhere near good enough. 

They said: “A tempting but dangerous habit is portholing. This is when drivers only clear a patch of the windscreen, a ‘porthole’, to look through when they are driving. 

“This is dangerous and can land you with a hefty fine of £60 rising to £2,500 if your driving is deemed to be dangerous. Make sure that you always clear your entire windscreen before setting off.”  

Motoring experts at the AA stressed that “not everyone bothers to clear all the ice off before they drive off”.

However, they warn this would ensure drivers get “in trouble” for driving too dangerously in potentially hazardous conditions. 

Meanwhile, Gem Motoring Assist also confirmed that not removing all the ice or frost from the glass would come back to bite individuals.

They added: “The practice of driving by looking through a small area of cleared ice is known as “portholing,” because it is reminiscent of peering out of a ship's porthole. 

“This is dangerous because it obscures your view of the road.”

Motorists can clear ice and frost from their car windscreen in minutes with simple methods every morning.

Using a de-icing pick is probably the safest way to clear the screen with household items such as credit cards or CD cases likely to crack the gloss. 

Turning on the heater and pointing directly at the glass is likely to clear condensation while some modern vehicles are fitted with specially designed de-mister tools.