BEWARE of “ice-berks” on the roads this winter. That’s the warning from windscreen repairs and replacement service, RAC Auto Windscreens.

‘Ice-berks’ are highlighted in a recent survey commissioned by the company. Such is the speed with which we need to leave home in the mornings, nearly a quarter of these surveyed admit to driving with just port hole vision.

A further 17 per cent claim only to defrost the front and rear screens, leaving potentially fatal blind spots in a motorist’s vision.

Richard Usher, RAC Auto Windscreens’ marketing and communications director said: “Driving with restricted vision not only poses a serious safety risk, but can also lead to a fixed penalty notice or even, in the event of a fatal road accident, a 10-year prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. Why put yourself and others at risk of such serious repercussions for the sake of getting up maybe just five minutes earlier?”

As part of a winter safe vision and driving initiative, RAC Auto Windscreens is encouraging motorists to follow its top 10 tips for ‘vision clear’ winter driving:

• Always keep a purpose made ice scraper and de-icier handy.

• Allow a minimum of five minutes to de-ice your car.

• Help speed up the de-icing process by switching on the engine and the rear window heater, but never leave your car running unattended.

• Deal with any chips or cracks in your windscreens straight away; blasting hot air at a cold damaged windscreen will quickly exacerbate the problem and could make the difference between needing a simple repair or a whole new screen fitting.

• Maximise visibility by thoroughly checking your headlights are clean and in full working order before embarking on your journey when the light is poor.