Clear Your Car Or Get Fined Big Time In New York

As we get ready to deal with lots of snow across New York over the next several days, you are bound to see this.

Someone will be driving down the 90 or down a side street and it will look like a blizzard is following them. The reason is that they didn't clear all the snow off their car's roof, trunk, or hood and now it is blowing all over the road.

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Well, if you are that person, just know that you could be facing a hefty fine if you are pulled over by the police.

In New York State you could be fined anywhere between $150 and $850 dollars if your windows, windshield, and lights are not clear of snow and ice. That also goes for the top of your vehicle. Driving with snow on the roof could cause white-out conditions that are unsafe for drivers behind you on the roads.

According to traffic law S 1229-E, you are responsible for clearing snow from your vehicle.

S 1229-E. CLEARANCE OF SNOW, SLEET, AND HAIL.
1. NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY WHILE THERE IS AN ACCUMULATION OF SNOW, SLEET, OR HAIL ON THE ROOF OR CARGO BED SURFACES THEREOF, WHETHER OF ANY OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT, TRAILER, OR OTHER CARGO COMPARTMENT IN EXCESS OF THREE INCHES.
2. THE REMOVAL OF ACCUMULATED SNOW, SLEET, OR HAIL REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY DURING THE FALLING OF SNOW, SLEET, OR HAIL OR WITHIN THREE HOURS AFTER THE CESSATION OF THE FALLINGTHEREOF.
3. (A) THE OPERATOR OF A NON-COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, EXCLUDING A DISABLED OPERATOR, SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.