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Drivers admit de-icing windscreen with CD
Many motorists are far too cool about clearing ice and frost from windscreens.
Some of those who do make attempts to de-ice vehicles go about it the wrong way, with CDs and even potatoes used, a survey by RAC Auto Windscreens found.
More than two in five of the 1,080 motorists questioned do not always wait for all their windscreen and side windows to be clear before driving off.
A total of 2.6 per cent have had an accident because their windscreen was not cleared, while 1.9 per cent have failed to see a pedestrian crossing the road because of an impaired view.
Britons spend an average of only seven minutes clearing their windscreens on a winter's day.
Of those who do make the effort:
Almost half help out car thieves by leaving the engine running to defrost their vehicle while they stay inside the house.
A quarter of men, and a third of women, have poured boiling water on their windscreen, running the risk of cracks in the glass
One in seven motorists in the UK, and just under a third of Londoners, have raided their kitchens for implement like knives to scrape off the ice.
More than 10 per cent have used a CD or DVD to de-ice a windscreen.
One respondent to the survey even admitted to making do with a potato.
Chris Bonsall, technical manager at RAC Auto Windscreens, said: "At this time of the year we see a significant rise in call-outs to fix cracked windscreens that have been carelessly damaged by motorists' lack of care.
"I can't believe that so many British motorists will drive off and risk getting points on their licence, or even be involved in an accident, rather than spend 10 minutes clearing their windscreen."
Meanwhile, motorists could be doubling their risk of a winter accident simply by driving home for Christmas, the RAC Foundation said.
Government figures showed that road users in London were twice as likely to be involved in a serious accident than those in South East and South West, the foundation added.
The statistics also revealed that Worcestershire is the safest county for motoring, followed by Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, Hampshire and Devon.
The areas with the highest rate of road users killed or seriously injured in 2006 were: 1. Greater London; 2. East Sussex; 3. Isle of Wight; 4. Lancashire; 5. North Yorkshire.
The foundation's campaigns head Sheila Rainger said: "Christmas is traditionally a time to visit friends and family, but motorists must expect the unexpected and be aware that not all parts of the UK are equal when it comes to road safety.
"Many motorists will be tired after the pre-holiday rush at work, and driving with too many things on their mind, leading to increased speeds, inattention and poor hazard perception."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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