Pennsylvania Bill Would Ticket Cars, SUVs Covered in Snow

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1/3/2006

Pennsylvania Bill Would Ticket Cars, SUVs Covered in Snow
Proposed Pennsylvania legislation would create a $75-1500 ticket for drivers who fail to clear snow off their vehicles.

Pennsylvania state Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) is tired of people driving with chunks of snow and ice flying from their vehicle during the winter months. Her bill would give police officers the power to pull over any driver whose vehicle is not cleared of snow and issue a $75 citation.

The penalty increases substantially if flying ice injures someone or causes property damage -- with the ticket set at $1000. If the damaging ice flies from an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle, the ticket increases to $1500. The provision would not apply to snow that has accumulated on a car while the vehicle has been in motion.

Boscola's legislation, introduced in October, is now being promoted in response to the Christmas death of Christine K. Lambert, 51. Lambert was driving with her family in a 2005 Mazda Tribute on Route 209 in Nesquehoning on Sunday. At around 1:15pm an eight-inch thick chunk of ice flew off a big rig truck, smashing the windshield of Lambert's vehicle, killing her instantly. The big rig truck drove off unaware of what had happened and the driver has not been identified.

Article Excerpt:

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL No. 902 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, C. WILLIAMS, FONTANA, COSTA, RAFFERTY AND EARLL, OCTOBER 5, 2005

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the removal of snow and ice from certain vehicles.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:

§ 3720. Snow and ice removal.
(a) General rule.--Any driver of a motor vehicle being operated on any street or highway of this Commonwealth shall have an affirmative duty to make all reasonable efforts to remove all accumulated ice or snow from the motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of the motor vehicle. Any driver of a motor vehicle who violates this section may be stopped on a street or highway by a law enforcement officer if the law enforcement 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.
(b) Dislodged snow and ice.--When snow or ice is dislodged from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing injury or property damage, the following penalties shall apply:
(1) The operator of a noncommercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.
(2) The operator of a commercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,500 for each offense.
(c) Exception.--This section shall not apply 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 or to any operator of a motor vehicle while it is parked.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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