Panel kills fines for not removing snow
Destiny Shelton
Capital News Service
A House subcommittee has killed a bill that would have fined motorists for failing to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicles before driving on Virginia highways.
A subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday tabled House Bill 2399, which would have established a penalty of up to $75 for not removing snow and ice from motor vehicles.
Delegate Jeion Antonia Ward, D-Hampton, proposed the bill as a safety measure. She said it’s dangerous when people drive with snow or ice on their cars.
“I think it’s something important; it’s a safety issue,” Ward said. “When snow flies off of cars onto yours, you have no control.”
HB 2399 stated:
“Any operator of a motor vehicle on any highway shall remove all accumulated ice and snow from the vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of the vehicle. Any operator of a motor vehicle who violates this section may be stopped by a law-enforcement officer if the officer believes the accumulated ice or snow may pose a threat to persons or property. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $75 for each offense regardless of whether any snow or ice is dislodged from the vehicle.”
The bill proposed that if the snow or ice accumulation on a motor vehicle resulted in injury or property damage, non-commercial drivers could be fined $200 to $1,000; fines for commercial drivers would range from $500 to $1,500.
The measure would not have applied “to any driver of a motor vehicle operated during a snow or ice storm that began and continued for the duration of the motor vehicle’s operation nor to any operator of a motor vehicle while it is parked.”
Ward said she simply wants motorists to know how dangerous it is to drive with snow or ice accumulation on their cars.
“Before you get on the road, scrape the snow off … because it can save someone’s life,” she said.
Though her legislation may be dead, Ward hopes to keep the issue alive.
She plans to talk to the Virginia Department of Transportation about creating a slogan urging people to remove snow or ice from their cars before driving.
Ward is not the only one concerned about the issue.
The Trucking Association Executives Council, an industry group, is trying to find solutions to the problem.
In recent years, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have passed laws requiring operators of vehicles to remove snow or ice from their cars before driving.