Have you ever been in a big hurry in the morning after it snowed? Have you ever just scraped enough snow and ice off of your windshield so you could kind of see out – hoping that the heater will melt the rest of it after you start driving?
Or have you been driving along only to have a large piece of ice come flying off another person’s car, hitting yours?
Drivers that do this can face traffic citations and fines due to the danger they pose to themselves and others.
It is a summary traffic violation in Pennsylvania to drive with any snow or ice “…which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or intersecting highway.” This means that a driver cannot just remove snow and ice from the front and rear window – drivers must also remove the snow and ice from the side windows. If not – the driver could be facing fines of up to $110.
If the snow and ice on a driver’s car roof, hood or trunk strikes another vehicle or pedestrian and causes a serious injury, the fines can be between $200 – $1,000. Not to mention the civil or criminal charges that would follow!
Please give yourself a little extra time this winter when traveling – both to remove the snow and ice from your car and to travel at safe speeds.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen – if you or a loved one are injured in a car accident – please call – 724-837-0080.