Geography / US / Source: / SafetySmart
KNOW THE LAWS OF YOUR STATE:
Snow Removal Laws
THE PROBLEM: Snow from your driveway should never make it to the road. So it’s essential to clear snow from your car’s roof, windshield, trunk and hood before you drive. In addition to causing accidents, failure to heed this advice can get you a traffic ticket in many states.
HOW TOOL HELPS SOLVE THE PROBLEM: Here’s a summary of current snow removal laws in each of the 50 states.
INSTRUCTIONS: To fully understand this chart, you need to be familiar with 2 concepts:
KNOW THE LAWS OF YOUR STATE
SNOW REMOVAL LAWS
ALABAMA: No specific laws.
ALASKA: Illegal to drive with something on front windshield or window that may obstruct your view or which may impair the view of another driver.
ARIZONA: No specific laws.
ARKANSAS: No specific laws.
CALIFORNIA*: No specific laws.
COLORADO*: No specific laws.
CONNECTICUT: Illegal to drive with something on front windshield or window that may obstruct your view or which may impair the view of another driver.
DELAWARE: No specific laws.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: No specific laws but police can stop trucks that have accumulations of snow or ice.
FLORIDA: No specific laws.
GEORGIA: No specific laws but ice/snow could be deemed a distraction that can be cited under other distracted driving laws.
HAWAII: No specific laws.
IDAHO*: No specific laws.
ILLINOIS*: No specific laws.
INDIANA*: No specific laws but Indiana Turnpike officials can order you off the road if there are ice/snow accumulations.
IOWA*: No specific laws.
KANSAS*: No specific laws.
KENTUCKY*: No specific laws.
LOUISIANA: No specific laws.
MAINE*: No specific laws.
MARYLAND*: No specific laws.
MASSACHUSETTS: Illegal to drive with something on front windshield or window that may obstruct your view or which may impair the view of another driver.
MICHIGAN: No specific laws but ice/snow could be deemed a distraction that can be cited under other distracted driving laws.
MINNESOTA*: No specific laws.
MISSISSIPPI: No specific laws.
MISSOURI: No specific laws.
MONTANA*: No specific laws.
NEBRASKA*: No specific laws.
NEVADA*: No specific laws.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Snow/ice accumulations on vehicle covered by negligence statute.
NEW JERSEY: “Dangerous accumulations” of snow/ice must be removed before entering public road or $25 to $75 fine.
NEW MEXICO*: No specific laws.
NEW YORK: Illegal to drive with something on front windshield or window that may obstruct your view or which may impair the view of another driver.
NORTH CAROLINA: No specific laws.
NORTH DAKOTA*: No specific laws.
OHIO*: No specific laws. Can be kicked off Ohio Turnpike with snow/ice accumulations.
OKLAHOMA: No specific laws.
OREGON*: No specific laws.
PENNSYLVANIA: If snow or ice dislodges and falls from a moving vehicle and hits another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or bodily injury, driver can be fined $200 to $1,000.
RHODE ISLAND: No specific laws.
SOUTH CAROLINA: No specific laws.
SOUTH DAKOTA*: No specific laws.
TENNESSEE*: No specific laws.
TEXAS: No specific laws.
UTAH*: No specific laws.
VERMONT*: No specific laws.
VIRGINIA: No specific laws.
WASHINGTON*: No specific laws.
WEST VIRGINIA: No specific laws.
WISCONSIN*: No specific laws.
WYOMING*: No specific laws.
* Some cities and towns have adopted local laws requiring snow/ice removal.
This tool and hundreds more available in the SafetySmart Compliance Toolbox at www.safetysmartcompliance.com