Windshield barnacles are large suction devices that attach to a vehicle’s windshield and prevent drivers from seeing clearly, making it difficult to drive safely. More private parking lot owners are using them in place of towing, leaving drivers with substantial fees to have them removed.
According to CBS Philadelphia, city councilmember Cindy Bass has introduced a bill that would ban the use of barnacles in instances where towing would already be illegal under city law. According to her bill, barnacles would be classified alongside other immobilization devices, such as towing or boots, and would require a ticket issued by police before a barnacle could be used.
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A 2017 Philadelphia ordinance already prohibits private parking lot owners from towing vehicles before police issue a parking ticket. Under Bass’s proposal, this same restriction would also apply to barnacle devices. If approved, Bass’s bill would impose a $1,000 fine on violators.
“This came to City Council’s attention years ago … and now is the time to act and to get it regulated before it goes any further,” Bass said in a statement. “This has never been far away from the consciousness of City Council. I can tell you that we hear about it. We continue to hear about it, and so now we’re stepping forward to take action and doing something about it.”Â