Carefully cleaning all the snow off the car on a cold winter’s morning probably ranks few as one of their favorite chores.
However, for the sake of traffic safety, most people still make sure to clean away the worst masses of snow from the car roof and windows before they go out on the road.
However, there is another important detail that many people forget to clean up when clearing the snow from the car, and missing out can lead to fines.
DON’T MISS: Our podcast about cars – Under the Hood
Fines for snow on the skid plate
The detail in question is the car’s license plates, as per the police must not be illegible due to snow, ice, dirt or the like.
For a license plate to be considered illegible, it does not have to be completely covered in snow, but it is enough that a number or letter is obscured to the extent that it can be mistaken for another character.
It became one We Car owner journalist recently noticed, when the police considered that snow at the bottom of the skid plate meant that the letter “R” risked being confused with a “B”. The penalty was a fine of SEK 1,500.
DON’T MISS:
That’s how good the world’s most luxurious plug-in hybrid is: V8 and electric motor
Driving licenses should be easier to obtain – with these diagnoses
This applies in case of snow storms
That the skid plate must always be readable also applies if it snows again while you are driving, which is common during longer journeys in heavy snowfall.
– My tip is to periodically take a break and fix this. It is also good for the driver, as it is more tiring to drive in these weather conditions, and you may need breaks more often, says Conny Salestedtregional traffic coordinator at police region Mitt till We Car Owners.
According to Conny Salestedt, however, the police have the option of submitting a so-called “report concession”, if the prevailing weather conditions mean that the snow cover will quickly snow again.
– Every police officer makes an assessment on a case-by-case basis, he says to Vi Bilägare.
If the bad weather has subsided, however, there is a high risk that the police will issue a fine if the skid plate is still covered in snow.
DON’T MISS:
Data leak at popular car manufacturer – can track your car
The unlikely speed record held by a Saab