Politics & Government

Cooper Wants Drivers Safe From Vehicle Ice

His bill would require drivers to clean snow from vehicle roofs.

Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader , D-Lloyd Harbor, has authored a bill to keep drivers safe from winter weather hazards by requiring motorists to clean accumulated snow and ice off their vehicles.

Cooper’s bill creates a two-tiered enforcement mechanism.

If law officers see a person driving their vehicle without first removing the snow or ice accumulation, officers could stop the motorist and issue a $75 fine.

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If a driver did not properly clear their vehicle and the dislodged snow or ice causes personal injury or property damage, the driver could face fines between $200 and $1,500.

These fines would be in addition to any other unsafe driving penalties that are already enforced.

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Cooper’s proposed law also has dual fine structures for different classes of vehicles.

Non-commercial vehicle operators would face fines between $200 and $1,000. Recognizing that large commercial trucks can carry massive amounts of snow and ice on top of their trailers, operators of these vehicles would face fines starting at $500 and going up to $1,500.

While there are no statistics compiled on how many accidents are caused by dislodged ice and snow, the special dangers posed by trucks shedding frozen precipitation are supported by a 2008 study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (a not-for-profit group that is part of the American Trucking Associations Federation). It found that the deadliest accidents caused by airborne ice involved larger vehicles, notably trucks.

“Our roadways are shared spaces where the best way to ensure your safety is to be careful and considerate of other drivers,” says Cooper. “The accidents and injuries that result from flying snow and ice are totally avoidable if more people would just take the proper precautions. But if they don’t, my bill will make sure these drivers are held accountable for their selfish and dangerous behavior.”

If adopted, it would be the first bill of its kind in the state.


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