26th Jan law changes?

[norseman]

According to various media articles, from tomorrow 26th Jan it becomes a legal requirement for UK drivers to carry both a proper ice scraper (as opposed to an old plastic card) & a de-icer product in their vehicles at all times during the winter. This appears to be in addition to existing rules about windows being clear & snow removed from the exterior.

I don't recall seeing any official warnings about this legislation, is it clik-bait or a reality ?

 

[mattylad]

After a google it appears to be clickbait.

You are already required by law to have a clear windscreen when driving.
Also, how would they measure when it is required?how would they check? what if your MOT is in the summer so no need to carry it?

FWIW I already carry these things all year round any way plus more.

 

[SithLordHood]

Sounds BS to me; source?
What / who defines the exact dates of 'during the winter'?

 

[Mottie]

I use my old Decathalon discount card to remove ice and snow from my car windows. Trouble is, it only gets 50% off….

 

[norseman]

It looks like this is indeed BS .. nothing on the 'net from DVSA.

 

[warey4life]

I've never bought or used de-icer.

 

[norseman]

I've never bought or used de-icer.

I used to use the product years ago but I'm sure the formula changed to the extent that it's ability to actually do it's job became minimal, just like so many other products these days.
Like any responsible driver I clear all the windows before setting out.

This isn't the first time so-called 'breaking news' on YouTube has turned out to be nothing more than click-bait.

 

[crank39]

I just boil the kettle, make a coffee and top kettle up with cold water, then go out to the van, put wipers on and pour warm water over the screen, wipers on means none can refreeze, I do this at 4am because I don't want to wake the neighbours by scraping

 

[norseman]

I just boil the kettle, make a coffee and top kettle up with cold water, then go out to the van, put wipers on and pour warm water over the screen, wipers on means none can refreeze, I do this at 4am because I don't want to wake the neighbours by scraping

Me too!
I've been doing just that for decades, except for the years we had a Mondeo with a heated 'screen.
Isn't it strange that manuf. seem to think it's more important to be able to see what's behind you rather than in front

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Me too!
I've been doing just that for decades, except for the years we had a Mondeo with a heated 'screen.
Isn't it strange that manuf. seem to think it's more important to be able to see what's behind you rather than in front

Ford, and I think, Volvo, hold the patents on the fine demist wires, needed in the front screen, so as not to impede normal vision.

Rather strangely, my none Ford, does manage to have the fine wires in the rear screen, and manages to use them for radio and TV reception.

 

[Mottie]

Ford, and I think, Volvo, hold the patents on the fine demist wires, needed in the front screen, so as not to impede normal vision.

And Landrover. They all benefitted from quickclear screens under Ford ownership while they had the patent but the patent has now expired so I can’t understand why all manufacturers don’t offer it these days,

 

[norseman]

Heated front 'screens are nothing new, when I was a Green Line coach driver back in the 'seventies some of the vehicles were fitted with heated 'screens.
Not fine wire in those days but the elements ran around a border of the glass so as to allow un-obstructed vision & were quite effective, unlike the saloon heating which struggled to keep ice off the inside of the side windows !