It’s a problem likely every driver in the area has faced – chunks of snow and ice flying off the roof of the car in front of you.
It’s a problem that can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and crash.
Clear snow/ice from vehicle windows! Front, side, & back windows of your vehicle must be cleared before driving #winterTravel #thinkSpring
— PA State Police (@PAstatepolice) March 5, 2015
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State Senator Lisa Boscola, a Demcrat from Lehigh County, is proposing a new law that would allow police to fine drivers for not making “all reasonable efforts” to remove snow and ice from the vehicles. The fines would range between $25 and $75.
Under current law, drivers can only be fined if snow or ice from a person’s vehicle causes serious injury or death.
If snow/ice dislodges from a moving vehicle and causes serious injury or death, the driver can be fined $1,000. #winterTravel #thinkSpring
— PA State Police (@PAstatepolice) March 5, 2015
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“A constituent of mine, on Christmas Day, was killed by a huge chunk of ice falling off a tractor-trailer,” Boscola told NPR when discussing the reasoning behind the law.
While there are no national statistics for deaths related to crashes caused by snow and ice becoming dislodged from vehicle, there are many stories in the media about similar crashes.
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New Jersey and New Hampshire have laws similar to the one Boscola is proposing.
A similar bill that would impose fines on truck drivers who don’t clear snow and ice from their vehicles was also introduced by Boscola.
