Drivers face new rules for safety in snow
With a winter storm bearing down on the region and several inches of snow expected to accumulate on vehicles, state police are reminding area residents to be sure and clear all obstructions from their vehicles before driving. The state Legislature recently added new terminology to existing laws about ice removal from vehicles to include snow – an inclusion area motorists will need to be mindful of today and Wednesday as forecasters are predicting a major winter storm for the area.
According to state police Sgt. James Caccimelio, the law requires motorists in the state to clear away any and all debris obstructing their view from the windshield, side windows and rear window of their vehicles before driving.
“There is not too much of a change in the law but now it does specifically require the removal of snow as well as ice,” said Caccimelio, who is stationed at the Uniontown barracks.
He said while the police do not often ticket motorists for failure to remove snow or ice, it is something troopers are mindful of, especially during the winter months.
“If you can’t see out your side window or rear window because of snow and ice, then it becomes difficult to make lane changes, and it is possible to be ticketed,” Caccimelio said.
The snow-removal addition to state law comes in conjunction with another minor change to driving regulations regarding headlight use.
Caccimelio said state law now requires continued headlight usage by motorists when wipers are in use.
The new requirement appears to be another layer of enforcement, as the law prior to the addition required motorists to use headlights during inclement weather, Caccimelio said.
“Basically, if you have your windshield wipers on, then you should have your headlights on,” Caccimelio said. “But it is something motorists should have been doing for a long time anyway.”
Caccimelio said the addition to the law should help to increase the visibility of cars during bad weather and result in fewer traffic accidents.
“Safety is the main concern of these laws,” Caccimelio said.
He noted that motorists can be stopped for failing to heed both new laws and could face citations and fines.