AA warns drivers to clear snow from cars or risk fines and points on licence

Motorists could be hit with up to a £100 ticket if they try and cut corners before getting behind the wheel

Drivers who fail to remove snow from their vehicles could be fined if caught, according to the AA (Getty)

Drivers could face hefty fines for failing to clear snow from their cars while the UK is blasted by wintry weather.

Motorists can also be hit with points on their licence – even if there is snow on their vehicle’s roof that does not obscure windows.

Those caught driving without clearing their car sufficiently are breaking Rule 229 of the Highway Code, which states windows, lights and number plates must be clear of snow.

Falling foul of this rule brings a £60 fine and three penalty points on to your licence.

However, the rule also requires drivers to scrape away any snow that could fall off their vehicle and into the path of other road users.

Anyone who fails to do so can be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine and as many as nine penalty points if their carelessness causes an accident, according to the AA.

AA spokesman, Luke Bosdet, said: “When you are driving around with 12 inches of snow on your roof, there is the possibility it will fly off at some stage.

“You a driving around with a car that is going to pose a danger to other road users – if snow blows off the roof it can blind another driver, it can get serious for you if it causes an accident.

“Pretty much everybody has a scraper and that should be sufficient to get any snow off the roof.

“If it comes off while you’re driving it is the same as throwing snowballs at other drivers, which anyone would think is dangerous.”

Heavy snowfall this weekend has caused severe disruption to transport links across much of the UK.

Flights were grounded at Luton and Birmingham airports on Sunday, while forecasters expect parts of north Wales and central England to see up to 20cm (8in) of snow.