Posted on 09/15/2005 8:35:32 PM PDT by Westlander
BOSTON -- It's cold, it's snowing, and there's ice and snow on the car. So you hop in and go without clearing off all the winter precipitation.
That might soon be against the law in Massachusetts.
The state Legislature is considering a bill that would mean fines of up to $500 and a six-month stay in jail.
The bill is designed to reduce the danger from chunks of snow and ice flying off car roofs or hoods.
If it passes, Massachusetts could become the first state to require snow- and ice-free cars.
The only DANGER I have ever seen from ICE/SNOW coming off of vehicles are the big chunks that come flying off of the tops of SEMIs.... they definatley would be a $#$$## if you got hit by one.
Yea, its pretty neat.. like watching a feather fall... slow motion..
um, has your windshieled ever been covered by the snow blowing off the vehicle in front of you? Mine has and it is terrifying. You can't see a thing and because of the road conditions you can't slam on your brakes. This is the cause of many accidents.
What other annoyances would you like to see made into law?
If you can't clean the snow and ice off your car you shouldn't be driving in the snow and ice. That may sound harsh, but it's only reasonable.
And no this is not an unreasonable law. I regularly see people in the winter get in their cars having cleaned off little more than their windshield and maybe their side windows. They back out of their driveways despite not being able to see what's coming. They're a hazard out on the road due to their limited vision. And as soon as they hit the highway the 10 cubic feet of snow on their roof starts to fly off, creating a blizzard immediately behind them. The only thing that surprises me is if there is not some existing legislation under which they could be fined.
I actually agree with you. My concern is more with those who leave snow and ice blocking their vision, headlights or taillights. For many vehicles cleaning all snow and ice off the roof is just not practical - tall minivans and SUVs with roof racks come to mind. And getting up on the roof of a semi-trailer covered in ice and snow really sounds like a major injury just waiting to happen. I think ice and snow flying off of vehicle's roofs is just a hazard that you have to deal with. Although, car owners don't really have an excuse, and that snow and ice sliding off your roof and covering your windshield (under braking) or rear window can be a real hazard.
I was once one of the people who caused this problem, until I got clobbered by an iceberg at highway speeds and understood all too clearly how dangerous it can be.
I don't have any problem with the law, if it's enforced reasonably.
fargin bastiges~!
Especially when they become airborne after hitting a "frost heave".
Because I've seen some scary incidents of large sheets if ice and snow coming off trucks at 65 MPH.
The government regulates the size of the holes in swiss cheese. Need I say more?
I've lived in Germany for 12 years...and noted at least 20 instances where ice chunks came off vehicles and either damaged cars or caused the guy in the rear to drive off into the ditch. Germany has huge fines for not removing ice and snow from a car...although only about half do it regularly.
Unfortunately on Mass highways its impossible to not be too close. If you fall back to the 8 car lengths rule at 80 on 93,95,128, turnpike, etc, as soon as you give the guy ahead the room, some numbnut moves into to your lane, so you bitch, and fall back, only to have another numbnut move into the space, so you fall back, etc, etc,etc.
You arrive at work two hours later, totally frazzled!
Exactly. It is clear what behavior is being targeted. FReeper paranoia that this is going to cause us all to be strip searched cause we're driving home and snow is sticking to the car isn't helpful.
Another factor to consider is those days when it gets sunny and/or above freezing, and the snow packed on a car roof suddenly slides down your windshield when you stop.
SD
Of course not--- it slipped forward to her front windshield.
And I bet you didn't bother to read the rest of the the thread where I already answered your question in a reply to someone else. In case you're too lazy to find it, I'll answer you directly: No, I don't tailgate. It is quite possible for one to be following a vehicle with the requisite space between or more, and be impacted by wintertime debris flying of the front vehicle and striking yours. Obviously this has never happened to you...or you'd have a clue.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.