Rules of the road forgotten in the snow

The question of “who was to blame” after a car crash is on the rise as a result of the snowy conditions.

Experts at Accident Exchange, the UK’s largest prestige vehicle accident management specialist, report an increase in the number of motorists denying responsibility by blaming the icy roads.

“The laws governing liability are clear,” explains Lee Woodley from Accident Exchange. 

“Just because the car in front slides on the snow or ice, and you end up hitting them too, the fault is still yours. They may have lost control, but so did you.”

The Highway Code is also clear in its advice on the dangers of driving in the current conditions.

Section 230 specifically states that road users should ‘drive with care, even if the roads have been treated and keep well back from the vehicle in front as stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.’

Disputing liability in such circumstances prolongs the settlement process between insurers and increases the costs borne by the industry, and by default, leaves the motorist with higher premiums.