Neglecting to Remove Snow from Your Car Could Cost You
Winter "Peephole" Drivers Face Fines and Risk Danger
Ever been in a hurry and scraped only enough ice and snow off your windshield to "peep" out at the road? Figure you'll wait for the heater to melt away the remaining precipitation on your vehicle? If so, you're a "peephole" driver. These drivers now face traffic citations and fines for the danger they pose to other motorists, pedestrians, and themselves.
In Pennsylvania, it is a summary traffic violation to drive with any ice or snow "which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway or intersecting highway." This applies to the front, back and side windows. This means that only removing snow from the front windshield is not sufficient enough for safe winter driving, and may result in fines of up to $110.
Fines skyrocket to roughly $200 - $1,000 if snow or ice on your car's roof, hood, or trunk strikes another vehicle or pedestrian, causing death or serious bodily injury. However, in this case the driver would also face civil or criminal charges, and fines would likely be low on the driver's list of worries!
Don't be a "peephole" driver:
- Pay attention to the forecast, and give yourself extra time to clean off your car
- Always keep a scraper, brush, and gloves in your car
- If you can, invest in a can of spray de-icier and lock de-icer
- Keep your window washer fluid full
- Check out these tips on how to winterize your vehicle