Do you know how much of your windscreen you need to clear of ice in order to drive legally?

It's worth knowing, especially after a frosty night which saw temperatures fall to just 1.4°C in Nottingham, and the gritters out overnight for the first time this autumn.

And the answer is - all of it.

The Highway Code says, "You MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows."

This is backed up by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which says, "All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road."

So if you're only scraping half your window, or a small square to peer out of, then you're breaking the law.

And there are other laws you should know about for wintry weather, too. They include:

  • You must make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly (under the same regulations as above);
  • You must ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible (The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989; Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994)wea

The Highway Code also advises drivers should remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users.

It offers the following advice for driving in icy weather:

  • Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently
  • Drive particularly slowly on bends where loss of control is more likely. Brake progressively on the straight before you reach a bend. Having slowed down, steer smoothly round the bend, avoiding sudden actions
  • Check your grip on the road surface when there is snow or ice by choosing a safe place to brake gently. If the steering feels unresponsive this may indicate ice and your vehicle losing its grip on the road. When travelling on ice, tyres make virtually no noise.