Drivers face a £60 fine for driving with snow on their roof

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 1138/10 - Hoax Text & E-Mail Messages - Re: Drivers face a £60 fine for driving with snow on their Car or Van Roof

No. 1138/10
Ref V4
Date: 21 December 2010


To: All Branches


Dear Colleagues

Hoax Text & E-Mail Messages - Re: Drivers face a £60 fine for driving with snow on their Car or Van Roof

We are forced to issue this communication due to the number of enquiries being received regarding a "Hoax" message which is circulating widely, using various communications media. The message states that Police are about to start targeting Motorists driving their cars or vans with snow on the roof and that Police are warning that Drivers could face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their Drivers licence.

This is not something new. The Police do have the power and discretion to take action and can hand out punishment for either dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention if they deem a driver's behaviour constitutes dangerous or careless driving or an accident is caused in contravention of the Highway Code. Rule 229 states that drivers should "remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users". The rule clearly indicates that it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that the vehicle does not have any mass of snow on top of it, before driving it out on to the road, which could be dangerous to the driver and other drivers that are using the road. If a mass of snow falls forward onto the Windshield or falls off from the roof of the car in to the road, it could possibly pose a risk to other drivers in respect of lost control. Although a number of Police Forces have pointed out drivers should take heed of these safety considerations, the Police have dismissed as an urban myth claims that they were about to start dishing out fines and penalty points for snow on vehicle roofs.

Spokespersons for Suffolk Police, Greater Manchester Police, Lothian and Borders Police, South Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Police, Northumbria Police and other forces have claimed the warning should not be taken seriously and dismissed rumours that they had been dishing out fines to motorists for driving with snow on their car roof. The Police Forces denied claims that they were targeting drivers. They agreed that they do not have a policy of targeting people with snow on their car roof. There is no specific legislation on driving with snow on the roof of a vehicle but Police can apply discretion in certain cases as described above if driving is considered dangerous or without due care and attention or inconsiderate.

The general view from the Police is that Drivers should be aware of the potential hazard that 'excessive' snow on their cars and the possible dangers of snow if it falls, obscuring the windscreen or if it falls off the back of a vehicle and deposits a heap of snow in the middle of the road that could cause an accident for the car behind. As at any time of the year drivers are required to have a clear view through their windows when driving and lights and signals should not be obstructed. Police Officers may speak to drivers if this is not the case.

However, information appearing on Facebook, or arriving via unsolicited Text and E-Mail messages would appear to be just another seasonal 'urban myth'.


Highway Code
Icy and snowy weather
Rule 229
Before you set off
· you MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows
· you MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible
· make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly
· remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users
· check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted

Thus, while the "warning" is a hoax, it is nonetheless advisable for drivers to ensure that excessive snow is removed from the roof of vehicles before setting out. Police in the UK have regularly advised drivers to remove snow from vehicle roofs before setting out, especially in severe or challenging weather. Failure to do so could compromise road safety and drivers could indeed be penalized. However, these facts do not, in any way, legitimize the false claims in this hoax message.





Yours sincerely





Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[meercat]

Good god is this what we are paying our subs for? Did this really require a LTB when posties have been SCREAMING to get info on the illegal clawback of hours and been totally ignored?????? How to avoid getting a ticket from the Police - a LTB? FFS.

This letter was probably a whole afternoons work for this guy. Maybe a whole day for him and his PA?

[Big Daz]

Dave Joyce is nowt to do with Clawback, so it dosent really matter how much work he has and how long it takes he is of no use on the clawback issues. Dave Ward and his team are the ones you need to take your grumbles to.

[meercat]

Yes obviously we are all aware the H+S guy is not directly responsible for advice re: clawbacks.

I'm making a general point about the CWU HQ TOTALLY FAILING it's members on a crucial wages/legality issue while at the same time spending significant time and money issuing lengthy but completely USELESS LTB's on how to avoid getting a ticket from the Police.

The point is these people all work in the same office and are spending their time being paid by our subs making absurd LTB's while the serious issues impacting on our work lives these past 2 weeks seem to be going ignored. Snow on the van roof FFS!!!