I caused chaos on the road this morning

[FrancisQuoynt]

Chucked it down with snow overnight and my car was covered in snow. I cleared the windows and drove off to go to work. I got to a roundabout where you can turn left, go straight on or turn right (as you do on roundabouts, I was going straight on) and there was an avalanche on the windscreen. I'd forgotten to clear the roof. It covered the windscreen and the wipers were jammed and I couldn't see a bloody thing.

I had to stop the car and get out and clear it off the windscreen. I was in the left lane, so anyone going straight on or right could still get by. A man behind me with a moustache and a trilby hat on started honking and shaking his fist because I had delayed him by about, ooh, 90 seconds.

Feeling a right fool. Trilby Man looked like someone out of a 1970s sitcom.

It never ceases to amaze me how casual people are about the possible consequences of not ensuring the 2 tonne vehicle they drive isn't road ready and safe.

If crap weather is forecast you get your arse out of bed 5 minutes earlier so you have time to get snow and ice off your car before you leave. Even if it's not forecast then you forgo the time scrolling on your phone. Skip your cuppa.

Nope, my car is/was on road or driveway

Correct, it is a motoring offence and attracts a fixed penalty.

Use a long handled soft headed broom to push the snow off the roof, it’s a lot quicker than struggling just with your hands etc. Keep it in the porch or just inside the garage just for this purpose. Once it’s off the roof go round the windows and lights. Take care out there, if the weather doesn’t get you down the whingers will.

It could have happened to anyone! The ban should have come out of his car and help you, not honk. Where is chivalry these days!

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-snow-on-your-car/

"Is it illegal to drive with snow on the roof of your car?

As for the snow on the roof, while, again, there is no law stating it is illegal to drive with snow on your roof, if it falls off onto your windscreen while driving or flies into the path of another car then you could be penalised for such offences as 'driving without due consideration' or 'using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition' ..."

I'm sure she does, hence the honest post. Not aimed at you, but some critical views on here to what was an honest mistake. Some people must be white than, erm, snow.

I believe it is illegal to drive with roof uncleared for this reason

Supposed to make car safe to drive including clearing roof.
if police turned up you would be in trouble with at least charge of driving without due care and attention.

Or land on the windscreen of the car behind you and stop them from seeing where they are going!

It is illegal to drive with snow on your roof but I guess you hopefully know that now. Yes it may have only been 90 seconds but own it as it was caused by your negligence I’m afraid. His outfit makes him sound legendary.

Well what would you have done? Continued to drive? Crashed? Stupid comment

Jesus give her a break! It was an accident and obviously stopped to clear the windscreen to stop any further danger or delay. Get off your high horse!

@SirChenjins Exactly what I was coming in to say, thank you!

Absolutely this. The OP was probably trying to deal with it with some humour, but it missed the mark and came across as rather arrogant and not self aware, I think that's why it's had some bad reactions. The way it was worded seems rather uncaring about the risks to other road users and only bothered about the fact that someone else shook their fist and looked annoyed.

You dare to take the Mick out of the guy, when it was you who broke the law and could have caused an accident and injury.

I’ve made this mistake, no cars around on the road at the time so pulled over to clear it off then a Police Car drove past. I’ve never made this mistake again.

So you sensibly stopped to keep yourself and other road users safe

Anyone who doesn't understand that shouldn't be driving

I once drove out of my garage, down our road and stopped at the end to turn right onto the main road. As I stopped, the paddling pool that my husband had put on the roof slid down and covered the windscreen. I felt like a right idiot wrestling the blooming huge thing into my car and driving home again. How I hadn't seen it I don't know- it was dark in the garage and I wasn't expecting anything to be on the roof. Rather feeble excuse I know.

Well to be fair, nobody would expect that to be on the roof of their car!!! But snow is completely different!
That did make me giggle thinking about you wrestling with a paddling pool!!! That's made my morning! 🤣

Left lane is also for going straight over unless there are specific lane markings

You think she should have carried on??

True. But there was no accident and she was not in a position at that moment to do anything other than what she did. Shouting and shaking fists contributed nothing to the situation. Next time hopefully OP will remember to clear the car properly. Lesson learned and nobody hurt other than a temporary rise in the other motorist’s blood pressure