From TOMO (saturday) The Police will be stopping people who are driving with snow on their roof of a car and will issue fixed penalty of £60 & 3 points. Apparently its in the Highway Code!!!

It was also on BBC Radio 3

It's not.
It's a joke mail that's been going round.

Rule 229 says
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

But it's not an endorsable law.

Fair enough then!

i try to get off as much of the snow off my car as i can. Always make sure my grills are clear too so the air can get to the radiator and all my lights and number plates are clear

You can get stopped and given a telling off. If it's really bad you can get done for using a car in an un-roadworth condition or something to that effect.

my mate in the police has told me its not any points and is a fine of upto £60


i wonder if driving in heavy snow and it all sticking to the front of your car so you cant read the numberplate counts

when i moved my car back round to my house, i didnt move the snow and when i set off, it started to slide. the sound of it isnt nice and if its really frozen may scratch your car so just clean it off anyway

Blow that... my hands get cold. The whole extent of my snow removal is...

Open door, get in, engine on... click windscreen and rear screen button... wind front windows down... drive.

Just adding something posted on another thread on here, this has come from Derbyshire Police:

"Police are quashing rumours that officers will be fining motorists who do not clear snow from the roof of their vehicles.

The rumour that officers will issue Fixed Penalty Notices has been circulating via text message, email and on social network sites.

A police spokeswoman said: “It is good practice to clear snow from your roof so that it does not affect the handling of your vehicle or spray other road users while you are driving, but these rumours are unfounded. We will not be fining motorists if they have snow on the roof of their cars.” "

Good!!

Just to muddy the waters further however... I've read today that Suffolk Police are now saying that motorists WILL be fined if they have any snow on their roof:

"Police are warning motorists to make sure snow is cleared from the roof of their vehicles – or face a £60 fine.

Suffolk Constabulary said officers are taking action in extreme cases when the build-up of snow is a potential danger to the driver and other motorists.

Offences can result in three penalty points and a £60 fine.

The spokeswoman said: “We would like to stress that many people are not aware of the hazard that snow on their cars can cause.

“We would therefore encourage all drivers to take the time to clear their cars of snow and any ice, including the roof and bonnet as falling snow on the roads can be dangerous for all road users. Driver safety is our primary concern.” "

Which is it then? And... if I'm on the motorway and it starts snowing am I going to get in more trouble for continuing to drive with snow on the roof, or for pulling on the hard shoulder to push it off?