Lawmakers Consider Requiring Snow and Ice Removal from Vehicles

Two states and the District of Columbia may soon enact legislation requiring drivers to remove snow and ice from atop their vehicles, news outlets have reported.

When snow and ice becomes dislodged, it creates a hazard to other drivers on the road, lawmakers said.

The New Jersey General Assembly’s Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities committee approved a bill last week that would require drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before driving, the Morristown (N.J.) Daily Record reported.

New Jersey law currently provides for fines of up to $1,500 if snow or ice falls from a vehicle and causes damage, but the proposed law, drivers could face fines of $25 to $75, whether the ice or snow falls off or not. The legislation faces approval from the full General Assembly, Senate and governor before becoming law.

A member of the District of Columbia council plans to propose legislation this week that would also fine motorists $25 to $75 for not removing ice or snow, the Washington (D.C.) Examiner said.

If passed, that legislation could go into effect immediately.

The Connecticut State Senate considered legislation last year that would have fined motorists for not removing snow, The Stamford (Conn.) Advocate said. The sponsors of that legislation plan to re-introduce the law this year.

In a study released last month by the American Transportation Research Institute, researchers said that while snow and ice could be harmful if it dislodges from a truck during transit, the options for removal are limited.

Devices for effective removal have yet to be developed and it would be dangerous to require drivers to manually clear the snow and ice, the study said.