States have rules in place to cover snow and ice removal

As winter approaches, one road safety issue that is sure to get attention are rules intended to encourage car and truck drivers to clear snow and ice off their vehicles.

Multiple states have rules in place on wintry precipitation that can accumulate atop vehicles. The issue also continues to receive attention at statehouses around the country.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and countless truck drivers are opposed to rules that permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles were not cleared of snow and ice.

The issue of snow and ice removal from vehicles is one that many states have addressed. Rules covering concerns about accumulations on cars and trucks are in place in states that include Alaska, Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Specifically, Rhode Island has a rule to require vehicles to be kept clear of snow or ice. Connecticut and New Jersey also allow police to ticket drivers simply for having wintry precipitation atop their vehicles.

Alabama permits police to issue citations if snow or ice accumulation obscures the driver’s vision.

Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin include removal of snow and ice from vehicles under statute that covers road hazards and careless driving, as well as other safety related rules that include improper load securement.

Pennsylvania pursues rule revision

Pennsylvania is among the states to address the issue. State law allows police to ticket car and truck drivers from $200 to $1,000 if the wintry precipitation causes serious injury or death.

One bill nearing passage at the statehouse would revise the rule in an effort to be proactive on the issue.

Similar to neighboring New Jersey and Rhode Island, SB114 would authorize law enforcement to issue tickets solely for failure to clear their vehicles of snow and ice. In addition to trucks, mass transit vehicles, buses, and school buses would be covered by the rule.

Enforcement would be limited to highways.

Drivers would be required to make “reasonable efforts” to remove snow or ice from all parts of their vehicles within 24 hours of a weather event.

Offenders would face a maximum fine of $1,500 if the wintry precipitation causes serious injury or death. The bill includes an additional protection allowing police to ticket drivers $50 for failure to clear snow or ice before they take to the roads.

Truck operators would be excused if they are on their way to a facility to remove accumulated snow or ice. In addition, violations would not be issued if compliance would cause the trucker to violate any federal or state law or regulation regarding workplace safety, or if it would be a health or safety threat.

OOIDA sees progress on issue

OOIDA has concerns about rules that permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles were not cleared of snow or ice. They point out that facilities are not readily available to accommodate clearance mandates on trucks. Another problem is the practicality of rules that appear to require people to climb atop large vehicles, and do so in less-than desirable conditions.

“The accumulation of snow and ice on any vehicle has the potential to negatively impact highway safety,” OOIDA Manager of Government Affairs Mike Matousek has said. “However, when it comes to commercial motor vehicles, there’s really no practical or safe way of removing it from the top of a trailer, especially during winter weather conditions.”

Speaking specifically about SB114, Matousek has said “it’s far from a great bill,” but the legislation does “appear to address some of the safety issues that OOIDA and others have raised through the years.”

Pursuit elsewhere

Legislation introduced this year in Delaware and Maine also attempted to require drivers to clear all snow and ice off vehicles. Neither effort gained much traction and will need to wait until next year for further consideration. LL

 Read more state news from Land Line.