- Fogged up glasses can be a nightmare in winter
- Condensation forms when cold lenses meet warm air
- Goes for both sunglasses and normal glasses
- You risk a £5,000 if you set off with vision obscured
- Simple tip? Don't leave 'em in your car overnight
Fogged up glasses can create a winter driving nightmare - but there are a few simple tips to help beat the steam.
The UK is currently shivering in single figure temperatures with the mercury forecast to plunge further in January.
The chilly conditions mean motorists have to scrape windscreens and run heaters on full to ensure their vehicles are cosy and safe.
But another factor still catches out many people, and it happens inside the car once you've set off.
Yep, it's the dreaded scenario where your glasses fog-up the instant you put them on in cold weather.
It's not just irritating for motorists, it can be a genuine driving hazard - and one that comes with the risk of a £5,000 fine for 'careless driving' should you set off with your vision obscured and you end up causing an accident.
Here's everything you need to know.
Why do glasses fog up in cold weather?
Spectacles and sunglasses steam up in cold weather because of pesky condensation.
When the cold lenses of glasses meet warmer air (or warm breath) it cools rapidly and forms as tiny liquid droplets on the lens surface.
It's the same process that happens when your bathroom mirror steams up.
It can form instantly - meaning your view ahead could be completely blocked in a matter of seconds. That is, of course, a big problem when you're trying to drive safely.
It's also highly problematic if you need driving glasses for every trip - or even if you've just reached for your sunnies because the low winter sun is blinding you!
Remember that if you take your eyes off the road to rub the lenses with a cloth you also risk a charge of careless driving.
So, what's the best way to remedy the issue?
Stop leaving your glasses in the car overnight
To stop condensation forming, you want your glasses lenses to be warm, not cold.
And that means you need to stop leaving your sunglasses or spectacles in your car (either in the glovebox or in the special tray in the roof above the front seats) overnight where they're going to get extremely cold during the winter.
If, on the other hand, the glasses are already at room temperature when you step into a warm car with the heaters blasting, they're much less likely to attract condensation - or to steam up the minute you breathe anywhere near them.
You might also want to take the glasses out of your pocket and warm the up by sitting them next to an air vent before placing them on your head.
Anti-fog treatment
Besides bringing your glasses inside with you after every trip, you could also invest in some anti-fog treatment.
You can buy dedicated wipes/sprays for just a few quid from Amazon and they work to create a thin film on the lenses of the glasses that help to prevent condensation from forming.
Others swear by DIY home methods, which involving washing the lenses in dish soap or shaving cream in order to create the same effect.
Experiment with a few options to see what works for you.
Can you really get prosecuted for wiping your glasses while you're driving?
Yes - anything you do that takes your focus away from the task at hand (driving) puts you and other road users at risk.
Driving without due care and attention, or careless driving, covers momentary lapses in concentration and in minor cases you may be sent on a driver improvement course.
But if a lapse is more serious you could be accused of ‘dangerous driving’ and face a minimum 12-month driving ban and up to two years in prison.
Under Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, dangerous driving occurs when a driver is 'avoidably and dangerously distracted', such as reaching for a mobile phone or looking at a map.
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