DRIVERS have been warned to avoid using a simple hack to defrost their car as it could land them with an £80 fine.
Rooster Insurance took to its TikTok page to alert motorists to the issue and shared the details to their 34,900 followers.
An employee of the company pointed out those probably little-known points in a post on the social network titled “This is how you can get fined for de-icing your windshield!”
The initial symbol shows a car obviously covered in frost, while the title reads, “The way you defrost the windshield may be illegal!”
One woman said: “Did you know that leaving your car’s engine running to defrost the windscreen can put you at risk of being fined up to £80?”
He added: “In the UK, idling is illegal.
“It’s the moment when you leave a vehicle’s engine tied to a desk on a public road.
“Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 prohibits leaving the engine running when necessary. “
He continued, “Two of the most common reasons the engine is idling are parents waiting to pick up their kids from school or drivers warming up their cars to defrost their windshields in the colder months. “
The woman, however, said the law only applies to public roads, so you can legally leave your car’s engine running if it’s parked in a personal driveway or even in a supermarket parking lot.
The Rooster Insurance worker said, “But why is idling so bad?
“Exhaust gases emitted into the environment from idling cars pose real health risks, as exposure can cause lung and respiratory problems.
“This is especially important for cars that are idling outside of schools. “
In a follow-up message, the same worker explained that a fine might not possibly be as severe as it seems.
She said the average UK driver would initially be hit with a £20 fine which would be doubled to £40 if not paid within 28 days.
However, she said that in some parts of London the initial fine would be £40 which would double to £80 if not paid within two weeks.
She also warned that idling is not good for your car as it can cause engine wear and tear over time, “resulting in higher maintenance costs”.
The woman added: “In schools and densely populated areas, it’s fair to say that engines need to be turned off to reduce pollution, but drivers who don’t own a driveway will be penalised for defrosting their windshields.
The original post has become a huge hit on the site having been viewed nearly 974,000 times, picking up 31,000 likes and more than 3,000 comments.
One user said, “So, wait for my mirrors and windows to thaw, I’ll have a twist of fate that’s my fault. . . it makes sense. ‘”
Another wrote: “Swear, it’s starting to become a punishment to drive in the UK.”
A third added: “But it’s illegal to drive with limited vision. Oh my God, make a decision.
Earlier this month, it was revealed how motorists can legally, defrost their windscreen in a matter of seconds.
This comes after road-users discovered a “super fast” gadget from Argos that can defog a windscreen and it keep ice away on a winter day.
In addition, the driver of a pickup truck showed his enthusiasts a clever DIY trick to protect the windshield from frost. . . for just £2. 50.
Meanwhile, an auto expert has explained how a trick that costs just 10 cents can make all the difference when it comes to defrosting your windshield.
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