Just a winter reminder....

[Pixiedust34]

If there is ice on the top of your car, please clean off the ice before driving. Yesterday in our area, there were over 100 accidents caused by ice flying from the top of cars hitting the cars behind them. Sometimes the ice shattered the windshields. A lot of these accidents happened on the Beltway, which is a horrible place to have this happen as swerving into another lane can involve more cars.

Just be safe. : )

 

[BethR]

Pennsylvania just instituted a this law:

A new Pennsylvania law imposes severe fines on drivers who fail to clear snow and ice from their vehicles. The snow or ice can cause injury or death to another person, state officials said. It is true, many people maintain the same perception of driving and perceived ability to drive during any and all weather conditions. It is important to know the different approaches to take when encountered with mother nature. Some laws make sense while others are just grandfathered into the laws and are never really updated to change. Here is a brief overview of the new laws i discovered while attending college and living in Pennsylvania.

If you do not follow this particular law of clearing the snow from the tops of your car, the fines could range from $200 to $1,000 per offense. Pennsylvanians have long been required by law to clear snow and ice from vehicles before they drive on the state's roadways, the representative said. More counties are starting to follow and enforce this particular law. It may take time, but this small task does save lives, if you can do anything to help the safety and well being of other motorists it is time well spent. It would pose as a nuisance and a hazard to drive behind a vehicle that is kicking up power snow into your windshield. It momentarily distracts you and can blind you from seeing what is directly in front of you, causing you to either swerve in the lane or possible hit another motorist.

 

[blue_river]

If there is ice on the top of your car, please clean off the ice before driving.

Just be safe. : )

 

[Barb]

Pennsylvania just instituted a this law:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Associated Content Website
A new Pennsylvania law imposes severe fines on drivers who fail to clear snow and ice from their vehicles. The snow or ice can cause injury or death to another person, state officials said. It is true, many people maintain the same perception of driving and perceived ability to drive during any and all weather conditions. It is important to know the different approaches to take when encountered with mother nature. Some laws make sense while others are just grandfathered into the laws and are never really updated to change. Here is a brief overview of the new laws i discovered while attending college and living in Pennsylvania.

If you do not follow this particular law of clearing the snow from the tops of your car, the fines could range from $200 to $1,000 per offense. Pennsylvanians have long been required by law to clear snow and ice from vehicles before they drive on the state's roadways, the representative said. More counties are starting to follow and enforce this particular law. It may take time, but this small task does save lives, if you can do anything to help the safety and well being of other motorists it is time well spent. It would pose as a nuisance and a hazard to drive behind a vehicle that is kicking up power snow into your windshield. It momentarily distracts you and can blind you from seeing what is directly in front of you, causing you to either swerve in the lane or possible hit another motorist.

It's a great idea, but no one and I mean, NO ONE, is paying any attention to it around here. I had a huge slab of ice/snow fly off in front of me yesterday from the top of a little jeep. Fortunately, I was far enough behind her that it missed me. But it sure scared me!

I also don't understand why no one is following the wipers on/lights on law. It's not rocket science here. It's pretty straight forward-if you need to use your wipers, then use your lights. It's so frustrating. My lights on are for safety-mine and yours!

 

[cybrkitn]

I wish more people would listen to that sound advice. I have always cleared the top of my car after seeing hard snow falling off the roof of cars.

 

[missj1975]

Yep, I agree with all the previous posters. It is very scary when huge chunks of snow and ice come flying off a car. I am amazed that some people can even drive with all the ice on their cars. They scrap just enough off to see through the windshield. It is very dangerous. I am glad I am able to park in a garage.

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm sure that there are plenty of people thinking that they own SUV's or Minivan's and "I'm just not tall enough to reach up there to clean it off." That doesn't make you exempt. In fact, it makes your vehicle even more dangerous because the amount of snow/ice on your roof is probably larger than on a smaller car and at the rate and angle that it will come off your vehicle will make it even more deadly for those behind you.

When I owned my explorer, I would climb up on the side runners to clean off the roof. Now I have a Hyundai Tucson, which isn't as tall, so it's easier to clean off. But so many people just don't do it.

I still remember a few years ago, this woman at the train station drove a Toyota Rav 4. We had about a foot of snow that day. She gets off the train, runs to her car, hopped in and started it. Turned on the wipers and zoomed out of the parking lot. Oh yeah, that was safe! I was furious and still have no respect for this woman because of that.

Personally, I think the Rain/headlights law and the snow removal law should be federal laws...not just individual states. I'm tired of my life being at risk because of other lazy people.

And if you live in any state which is likely to get snow in the winter, buy a stinking snow brush AND an ice scraper.

 

[caitycaity]

i am in agreement with you, but if you happen to see my car - sorry i still have stuff on the top. i drive a convertible and the ice is glued onto my cloth roof. i spent over an hour (really - no exaggeration!) trying to get it off yesterday. i spent another 20 minutes this morning. that sucker is not coming off until the weather gets a bit warmer.

at this point, there is no way to get it off with the tools i have without destroying my roof. i drive 80mph on the way to work (this is with the flow of traffic) and that sucker hasn't budged an inch, so i think everyone is safe from me.

i did see an accident caused by ice on the roof of a car coming off yesterday, so i know this is a problem, but there are some of us out there who haven't been able to get it off.

 

[lindakmonty]

I've seen the snow and ice flying too thank goodness my car was in the garage!

 

[kelleigh1]

i am in agreement with you, but if you happen to see my car - sorry i still have stuff on the top. i drive a convertible and the ice is glued onto my cloth roof. i spent over an hour (really - no exaggeration!) trying to get it off yesterday. i spent another 20 minutes this morning. that sucker is not coming off until the weather gets a bit warmer.

at this point, there is no way to get it off with the tools i have without destroying my roof. i drive 80mph on the way to work (this is with the flow of traffic) and that sucker hasn't budged an inch, so i think everyone is safe from me.

i did see an accident caused by ice on the roof of a car coming off yesterday, so i know this is a problem, but there are some of us out there who haven't been able to get it off.

Hopefully you're checking it on a regular basis because as soon as it starts to loosen from the roof, it will come flying off. And it will probably start to melt from the bottom, especially if you have the heat on in your car - which I can't imagine you don't have it on.

 

[MushyMushy]

It's a great idea, but no one and I mean, NO ONE, is paying any attention to it around here. I had a huge slab of ice/snow fly off in front of me yesterday from the top of a little jeep. Fortunately, I was far enough behind her that it missed me. But it sure scared me!

I also don't understand why no one is following the wipers on/lights on law. It's not rocket science here. It's pretty straight forward-if you need to use your wipers, then use your lights. It's so frustrating. My lights on are for safety-mine and yours!

My DH used to be really bad about not cleaning off his car, but he does it now. Anyway, people are getting better about it in my town because it's been all over the news. However, I was out the other day and this guy in a pickup truck had his whole truck clear EXCEPT his windshield. It was completely snow covered except about 6 inches near the top of the window. How on earth could he see out??? People are just stupid sometimes.

 

[goofyforlife]

I know.....We had to drive over to Baltimore yesterday for my Doctors appt and I saw five (5) cars with smashed windshields. All smashed clear across the same way...... i'm glad the people were able to pull over and it didn't cause other accidents as well.

It was sad. After that i told my DH not to drive behind anyone who still had the ice sheath on their vehicle.

 

[Disney Deb]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this issue up.

It makes driving a nerve-wracking experience, when you see ice flying off the rear of cars. Everyone please be careful.

 

[caitycaity]

Hopefully you're checking it on a regular basis because as soon as it starts to loosen from the roof, it will come flying off. And it will probably start to melt from the bottom, especially if you have the heat on in your car - which I can't imagine you don't have it on.

everytime i get in my car i try to take it off. it has not budged since Tuesday night. i spent 20 minutes this morning only to take about two 1 inch pieces off.

the melting from the bottom part is actually the problem. because my roof is fabric and not metal when it melts from the bottom it turns to pure ice. because the air temp has been so cold and i drive primarily on highways with speeds of about 60-80, the melted water then refreezes into the fabric. on a metal roof the heat would just cause it to slide off, but on my roof it just becomes frozen wet fabric.

but thanks for the psa. i really am trying to be responsible, but there is no way for me to get it off my roof right now.

 

[kelleigh1]

Oh yeah...I didn't even think about it soaking right back in and freezing. I'd be worried about it caving in too. I wonder...I don't know if you work on the weekends, but maybe tomorrow during the middle of the day you might be able to go out and get some of it moved. If it's sitting in the sun, the midday temps might help it warm up some before it refreezes.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I think they need to broadcast it everywhere because I was amazed at how many people still don't have their cars/trucks cleaned off. I watched an SUV in the on-coming lane throw a huge hunk of snow and ice up in the air. I ran off the side of the road to avoid the thing flying through the air. It's scary to watch! I also saw several cars abandoned with smashed windshields. Please, everyone be safe and watch out!

 

[cybrkitn]

i am in agreement with you, but if you happen to see my car - sorry i still have stuff on the top. i drive a convertible and the ice is glued onto my cloth roof. i spent over an hour (really - no exaggeration!) trying to get it off yesterday. i spent another 20 minutes this morning. that sucker is not coming off until the weather gets a bit warmer.

at this point, there is no way to get it off with the tools i have without destroying my roof. i drive 80mph on the way to work (this is with the flow of traffic) and that sucker hasn't budged an inch, so i think everyone is safe from me.

i did see an accident caused by ice on the roof of a car coming off yesterday, so i know this is a problem, but there are some of us out there who haven't been able to get it off.

Those are hard and I can definately see your point. Can you get a big chunk of it off that will leave just what is stuck to your roof?