A van driver stopped while driving his vehicle with a frozen windscreen and windows has been found guilty of dangerous driving.

David Hyslop, 54, was pulled over by officers on the A701 at Dumfries, driving with a very limited view of the road when he was charged with road traffic offences in December 2022.

He was convicted following a trial at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Wednesday (November 22), receiving a 12-month driving disqualification and a £500 fine.

Inspector Gavin McHallum, from Police Scotland, said: “As we move into the winter months and a drop in temperatures, I hope this case acts as a reminder of the importance of ensuring your vehicle is in a safe condition to be driven on our roads.

“It is absolutely vital that there is no snow or ice on your windows before you set off, so please take the time to properly clear your vehicle because if you cannot see clearly, you are putting yourself and others on the road at risk.”

Ed Colley, from Autoglass, says that with temperatures dropping across the UK, lots of drivers will be waking up to ice across their car windscreen this week.

"In a rush to clear the frost as quickly as possible some drivers may be tempted to pour boiling water over the glass," he said. "However, this tactic should be avoided as the sudden change in temperature can cause the glass to expand and result in small chips expanding into much more damaging cracks.

“Using a credit card to clear away any unwanted frost also runs the risk of scratching the windscreen.

"Turning on the car engine and leaving it may seem like the safe option, but it is hardly the most environmentally friendly approach and leaving your car on and unattended also increases the risk of car theft.  

“To ensure a stress-free winter morning we would recommend having a proper windscreen scraper in your car which you can use to clear the frost quickly and safely. For those who are really prepared, applying a rain repellent to your windscreen before a wintery snap can make de-icing much easier and quicker.”

Police Scotland advice for drivers during winter

  • Make sure your car is ready for winter.
  • Check that your tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows are free from defects and clean.
  • Drive to the road conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, stopping distances will be affected by the weather.
  • Make sure your windows are clean and aren't misted up.
  • Make sure there is no snow and ice on your windows before you drive.
  • When the roads are icy, drive at a slow speed in a high gear.
  • Accelerate and brake very gently.
  • Driving distracted (for example, using a Sat Nav) can cause additional stress. It is dangerous to yourself, passengers and other road users.

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