Brits have been warned about a legal rule that millions could innocently break this week as the country thaws its way out of a major cold snap. People who get caught out by this Highway Code rule could end up being fined for their actions.
The recent snowy weather has managed to ground flights, close schools, and disrupt traffic on roads across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK has been advised to prepare for these Baltic conditions to persist for the remainder of the week, according to the Met Office.
With temperatures struggling to push above the freezing mark, drivers will often find themselves stuck in a tedious situation in the morning. With ice forming overnight when temperatures drop to their lowest, car windows are usually frozen solid by morning, forcing people to take extra time to defrost their vehicles before the morning commute.
But this could be the reason that many people may end up breaking a rule, which might end up costing them more than a few extra minutes in the morning. Anyone found guilty of this could face financial penalties.
The rule for people to brush up on this week, as temperatures are expected to linger around 0°C, is Rule 123 of the Highway Code. Drivers can find a digital version of the document that all UK drivers are required to study, understand and comply with here.
What is Rule 123?
As part of the Highway Code, Rule 123 states that a driver must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running, or leave it running unnecessarily when stationary on a public road. The aim of this rule is to reduce pollution and noise, although exceptions are in place for traffic congestion or diagnosing vehicle faults.
People who break this rule could find themselves in trouble with the law, as they could be prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act by local authorities. Anyone found guilty of this offence could face fines.
Often, the penalty can be as little as £20 but can potentially increase to £80 or more, depending on the council involved, with higher penalties for non-payment or repeat offences. In some areas (like London), the initial fine can start at £80.
Leaving your car to de-ice itself often means that drivers switch on the engine and use the power of the heaters, alongside scrapers and de-icing formulas, to clear windscreens and mirrors. Unless the car is parked on private property whilst doing this, people are technically only a few steps away from breaking the law.
In this scenario, people should stay with their vehicle to avoid the risk of being caught. It's also a good idea not to leave your unlocked and running vehicle unattended, as people could find themselves at a greater risk of theft.