New Jersey – A law going into effect today imposes a fine for drivers who fail to clean snow or ice off their vehicles before driving.
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Starting today, New Jersey drivers could face up to a $75 fine for failing to clean the ice and snow off their cars, state officials announced Wednesday.
In the past, said Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer, drivers would only be fined if snow and ice fell off their vehicle and caused damage or injury. Now motorists will be expected to clean snow and ice off before hitting the road or face a fine of $25 to $75.
The fines for damage or injury range from $200 to $1,000, or $500 to $1,500 for commercial drivers.
“Snow and ice left on a vehicle, in particular on the hood, windows and roof, can become a deadly projectile, creating a hazard for everyone on the road,” Fischer said in a news release. “The few moments it takes to clear ice and snow from your vehicle could prevent a crash or save a life.”
In anticipation of the winter weather, state officials encouraged motorists to:
Tune up and winterize their vehicles, as well as check the radiator, battery, antifreeze, and all other fluid levels.
Check tire treads and replace them if they’re unsafe.
Check and replace windshield wiper blades if the rubber is cracked and/or brittle, and be sure to check and refill the washer fluid reservoir.
Maintain at least a half a tank of gas during the winter to prevent the fuel line from freezing.
Long overdue. So for the Yidden and others who think it is cool not to clean the roofs of their SUV’s and have the snow and ice flow to the cars behind them, you have been forewarned of hefty fines.
It is incredible the number of cars I see after a snowstorm with a 4 x 8 inch square cut out of the snow covering the windshield. That is all the driver has available with which to see where he is going!
I am far from a nanny-statist but this is a public safety concern on stilts!
I was on the New Jersey Turnpike 3 years ago driving behind a van and a large chunk of ice went flying off the roof of the van right into my windshield and shattered my windshield. Not something you want to happen to you at 60 miles an hour. My windshield literaly exploded. B’H nothing else happened but it was very scary. Good Law!
how much snow? a dusting? a foot? who determines?
does a person who is elderly and handicapped have to stand outside and try to clean off their car?
Nice one, I hope ny follows and enforces.
To #4 -Mewhoze- Kindly let me educate you; the elderly and handicapped are subject to the same traffic laws, as the younger and non-disabled drivers. I’ve noticed a number of instances of drivers with the disability placards on their windshields speeding or cutting off other traffic. It distinctly states on the disability placard (in my state) to remove it while driving, but people don’t pay attention. Incidentally, I’ve seen drivers of all ages who are too lazy or inept to remove snow and ice from their front and rear windshields, as well as from license plates. The law is very clear on the latter matter, as the license plate must be kept clean and clear of any obstructions, at all times. Also, when a driver’s visibility is limited, because of snow and ice on the windows, it increases the danger not only to that driver and his/her passengers, but to other cars in the immediate area. With front and rear defrosters standard on most vehicles, there is no reason to drive with snow and ice on the windows.
I will have lots of fun standing on the roof of my school bus cleaning snow….
very good! finally they are making this law, its so dangerous to have snow on your roof if you make a short stop, the whole snow goes on the front window and chas veshulem what can happen… in Montreal its already in affect for years.
to no. 8
i don’t know if you have to clean the whole roof of the bus
Are motorcycles exempt? This is a serious question, also what about horses and horse drawn conveyances?
I wonder how NJ will enforce this good law with regard to large trucks such as 18 wheelers? Driving behind an 18 wheeler at highway speeds after a now storm can be really dangerous. They will have to require those vehicle to go thru a truck wash if the law has teeth.