MILLIONS of motorists are at risk of a £2,500 fine over a common windscreen issue, experts have warned.
Breakdown firm Green Flag urged drivers to make sure they maintain a vital part in order to avoid trouble with the law.
Their research found that more than half of UK road users have set off without making important checks, leaving them open to a whopping bill.
The team explained that many often miss the chance to keep their windscreen washer bottles adequately topped up.
Despite the Highway Code recommending checking and refilling them weekly, Green Flag found that Brits only do so once every five months on average.
However, not many know that a dirty windscreen can see you slapped with a fine.
Failing to have washer fluid in your motor is an offence under the 1986 Road Vehicles Regulations.
Likewise, if your windscreen becomes so dirty that you cannot see properly, you would also be violating the 1988 Road Traffic Act.
This could see you collared by cops, with serious cases (if you had a crash for example) can head to court.
If you find yourself in the dock, you could be ordered to pay up to £2,500 and even given a driving ban.
The issue is particularly prevalent among younger drivers, with the study finding that a stunning 47% of those aged 18-34 admitted having an accident or near miss due to a dirty windscreen.
And it’s not just to do with dirt, as screenwash contains anti-freeze, making it essential for keeping your windscreen free of ice and your view clear as the weather turns colder.
Katie Lomas, Managing Director of Green Flag, said: “With the winter months approaching, it’s important that motorists remember to refill their windscreen washer fluid frequently so that they don’t get caught out with a dirty windscreen.
“Colder temperatures can cause screenwash to freeze making one with an antifreeze added an absolute necessity for drivers.
“It’s a task that is easy to forget but it’s crucial to ensuring that you’re driving safely and not risking a fine or points on your license.”
It comes after an expert survivalist revealed a £6 Tesco essential that can stop your car from freezing up.
Meanwhile, a driver was spotted breaking a little-known parking rule – but viewers were left divided.
1. Check and top up the windscreen washer bottle weekly, be sure to include a screen wash at the correct concentration in the winter months to tackle ice and salt spray.
2. Check that there is sufficient liquid in the cooling system. Most modern cars have plastic coolant reservoirs, where you can see the level. In older cars, when the engine is cold, unscrew the radiator cap to check the coolant level. Top up as necessary and include antifreeze in the mixture in winter.
3. Always ensure that your car is topped up with the manufacturer-recommended oil with the correct viscosity. This helps the engine to start more easily in the cold.
4. Try to park your car in a garage or a sheltered area to keep it out of the worst of the cold weather.
5. With breakdowns rising in the cold winter months, it makes sense to ensure you have adequate breakdown cover in place.
