Recently, an 80-year old man in Canada was pulled over for driving his car like this. He explained to officers that he was simply too weak to clear the 8 inches of snow off his vehicle before driving. Fortunately for this man nobody was hurt and he left with just a traffic ticket. The officer also helped the elderly man clear the snow off his vehicle before he left.
While this is somewhat comical, it is also very dangerous. In New York, a driver can be cited for failing to drive with a clear windshield under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 375. This ticket carries a maximum $150 fine and $63 surcharge.
So far, the Capital Region has been spared its share of snow this winter. But if the snow does fall in the coming months, please clear off your vehicle before driving. Not only is it safe, it is also the law.
