Why You Should Clear Snow, Ice Off Cars

Flying Ice From Tops Of Vehicles Poses Big Danger

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/020810_Flying_Ice_Dangers

As you dig out from two feet of snow or more, keep in mind the dangers aren’t just on the road.

Fox 29 reporters out and about Monday were noticing piles of snow and ice on top of cars.

Drivers just let it fly off, and possibly into the windshield of any nearby car.

Fox 29’s Steve Keeley repeatedly pointed out the danger to motorists Monday morning.

“Do you know that’s the law to clean that off?” Keeley asked one driver.

“Oh, the one that’s on my roof right now?” the driver said.

“Or anyone,” Keeley said.

“No, I didn’t know,” the driver said.

The message hit especially close to home for one Easton man lost his wife to flying ice five years ago when a chunk flew off of a tractor-trailer into her car, killing her instantly.

“It’s ridiculous, you know, why they don’t take the time. People don’t think of it,” Frank Lambert said. “It’s just the massive force of damage that this can do that people don’t realize.”

The crash prompted Pennsylvania to pass a law which allows for drivers to be fined if snow or ice injures or kills a person. That fine from $200 to about $1,000.

Lambert wants more. He’s pushing for a law that requires total snow removal.

In New Jersey, a law signed in October will soon get people a $25 to $75 fine for not clearing off their cars.