Ireland is facing a bitter cold snap with snow and sub-zero temperatures expected. While many motorists are resorting to defrosting their cars with the engine running, authorities have issued a warning that this is illegal and could result in fines of up to €2,000 or even three months in prison. Leaving a vehicle unattended with the engine running on any public road, even if it adjoins a property, is against Irish road traffic law.
Bitterly cold weather has engulfed Ireland , with Met Eireann warning of 'disruptive' snow and subzero temperatures as low as -10C. Frost, ice and fog are all forecast and are set to persist well into next week.
With the cold snap set to intensify, most motorists will have frost-covered windscreens to deal with over the coming days - however, a warning has been issued over one common approach to defrosting cars that could end up being very costly for anyone caught by gardai doing it. Under road traffic laws in Ireland, it is an offence to leave vehicles "unattended with the engine running on any public road, even in the instance that the public road adjoins a person’s property or driveway". This is dictated by Regulation 87 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 1963. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport previously confirmed to the Irish Mirror the hefty fines associated with breaking this law.
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