Remove the "Ice Missles" From Your Car Before You Drive
From the storm warnings, its clear that winter is upon us with predictions of 12-18 inches of snow for the Staten Island area. The laws are clear that Staten Island homeowners mustclear the snow from their sidewalks but what about clearing snow from their cars? As of yesterday, how ironic, the New York State Senate Transportation Committee was meeting on a bill that prohibits motor vehicles from being operated with an accumulation of snow or ice on their surfaces. The bill was proposed last April but did not pass and was never presented to the Governor for his signature. Another example of politics at its worst.
The purpose behind the bill is sound: Snow and ice accumulates on top of cars and trucks during winter months and become a road hazard for motorists; especially those driving at high speeds on highways. The blinding snow falling from the top of other cars or trucks can cause damage or accidents to vehicles traveling behind. This legislation would create the responsibility of making sure every vehicle is safe for traveling on the road. I wonder why it hasn't passed or why there hasn't been such a law already enacted?
Since its not a law, it still should be just common courtesy. For those of you that don't have garages, take the time to clean the snow and ice off of the roof of your car before driving. I don't believe that people understand the seriousness of the ice and snow on top of there cars. Just recently, with the blizzard in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, numerous people were seriously injured when sheets of ice fell off the roofs of cars and then crashed into the windshields of drivers following behind. People have been killed from the ice alone crashing through the windshield and serious accidents have been caused by the whiteouts that result when the snow explodes off the top of the car. Please, take the time to clean off the snow and ice - it makes driving in the winter safer for all of us.
