Snow and icy roads make driving after a snowfall stressful for just about everyone who has to travel. While the road and weather conditions are out of our control, we also face another danger on Pennsylvania’s roads during the winter: snow and ice flying from vehicles that have not been cleaned. Most of us have dodged flying snow or ice at least once while driving during the winter, but a new law in Pennsylvania is designed to make that one less problem for drivers to worry about.
Snow and ice flying from rooftops of uncleaned vehicles can quickly turn to tragedy as it did on Christmas Day in 2005.
Like countless other Pennsylvanians, Christine Lambert was traveling on Christmas. Ice from a truck in front of her slammed through her window, hitting her in the head. She died as a result.
Since then Pennsylvania lawmakers have been working to pass legislation that would make the roads safer during the winter.
Prior to the passage of Christine’s Law, law enforcement could not pull drivers over for having snow and ice on their vehicles. Previously, drivers only faced consequences when serious bodily injury resulted from flying snow or ice. The new law changes all of that.
Governor Tom Wolf signed “Christine’s Law” in July of 2022. Act 90 of 2022, its official name, states that drivers have 24 hours after a snowstorm to clean the snow and ice from their vehicle, including from the roof, trunk, and hood.
Act 90 also allows law enforcement to pull over drivers with snow or ice-covered vehicles that could pose a risk to others on the road.
Fines for the failure to remove snow and ice begin at $50. However, if an injury or a death occurs, drivers can face a fine as high as $1,500.
Read Act 90 of 2022.
What do you think about this new law in Pennsylvania? Do you agree with it? Let us know in the comments! Then take a peek at the 10 things no one tells you about surviving a Pennsylvania winter.
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