![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-808625234-scaled-1.jpg\")
article <\/p>\n article <\/p>\n
PHILADELPHIA – Snow and ice left on a vehicle isn\u2019t just a visibility problem \u2013 it can break loose while you\u2019re driving and turn into a dangerous projectile<\/a> for the surrounding cars.<\/p>\n Why clearing your car matters \u2014 even where it\u2019s not illegal <\/p>\n Snow and ice left on a vehicle can harden into heavy sheets that break loose while driving, especially at highway speeds. Safety experts warn that when that ice flies off a moving car, it can strike other vehicles with enough force to shatter windshields or cause drivers to lose control.\u00a0<\/p>\n In some cases, falling snow or ice has led to serious injuries and deaths, which is why several states have created specific penalties when dislodged ice causes harm.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even in states without an explicit “clear your roof” law, traffic safety officials say clearing the entire vehicle before driving is critical to protecting other motorists.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s current “snow and ice” removal requirement \u2014 often referred to as Christine\u2019s Law<\/a> \u2014 was named after Christine Lambert, who was killed when a large piece of ice dislodged from a passing vehicle and crashed through her windshield on Christmas Day 2005. Advocates, led by state Sen. Lisa Boscola<\/a>, pushed for the law decades after the tragedy to make the requirement proactive rather than only punishable after snow or ice caused serious injury or death.\u00a0<\/p>\n The legislature unanimously passed the bill, and it became law in 2022 to require drivers to remove accumulated snow and ice from vehicles within 24 hours of a snowstorm to prevent similar tragedies.<\/p>\n Where it\u2019s illegal Pennsylvania <\/p>\n Pennsylvania law<\/a> says drivers must make “reasonable efforts” to remove accumulated snow and ice \u2014 including from the hood, trunk and roof \u2014 within 24 hours after snowfall stops. Police can stop a vehicle if the accumulation may pose a threat, and the base fine is $50.\u00a0 Pennsylvania also specifically prohibits driving with ice or snow that materially obstructs the driver\u2019s clear view through the windshield or windows.<\/p>\n Delaware <\/p>\n A Delaware bill text<\/a> outlines a requirement to remove accumulated ice and snow from a vehicle\u2019s exterior surfaces before operating it, with a civil penalty range of $25 to $75, and higher penalties if ice or snow dislodges and causes damage or injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n Connecticut <\/p>\n Connecticut\u2019s public act language requires drivers to remove<\/a> accumulated snow and ice (including hood, trunk and roof) so it does not pose a threat while the vehicle is being operated, and it sets penalties for violations.<\/p>\n New Jersey <\/p>\n New Jersey has a snow\/ice-focused statute<\/a> requiring drivers to make “all reasonable efforts” to remove accumulated snow\/ice from exposed surfaces, including hood, trunk, windshield, windows and roof, before operating on a street or highway.<\/p>\n BOSTON – FEBRUARY 18: A Boston Police officer pulled over a car on Blue Hill Avenue with too much snow on its roof, but began clearing it when he saw the driver was elderly person. (Photo by David L. Ryan\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Where the rules are less direct, but drivers can still get cited New York <\/p>\n New York does not have a single statewide law that explicitly requires drivers to remove snow and ice from the roof or other parts of a vehicle before driving. However, state law prohibits operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view, and drivers can still be cited if snow or ice on their vehicle creates a hazardous condition or contributes to a crash, according to traffic-law experts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even in the absence of a specific snow-on-vehicle statute, safety officials say clearing snow and ice completely from your car before driving is critical to protect yourself and others on the road.<\/p>\n Maryland <\/p>\n Maryland law<\/a> includes restrictions on driving with obstructions that interfere with a driver\u2019s clear view through the windshield.\u00a0Maryland also has a broader rule against operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition that endangers people.\u00a0<\/p>\n Separately, Maryland lawmakers have introduced legislation that would create a more explicit “clear the snow\/ice” requirement, but that proposal is still moving through the process.<\/p>\n Virginia <\/p>\n Virginia does not appear to have a statewide “clear your roof” law in the section you provided. Instead, the state code allows local governments to regulate vehicle operations during snow\/ice events (including snow routes, restrictions and fines).\u00a0<\/p>\n Some Virginia-focused legal guidance<\/a> also notes there isn\u2019t a broad statewide requirement specifically mandating full snow removal, while emphasizing drivers can still face consequences if debris causes damage or injury.<\/p>\n Washington, D.C. <\/p>\n Washington, D.C. does not have a specific law that explicitly requires drivers to remove snow or ice from the roof of a vehicle before driving. However, traffic laws in the District prohibit operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition or with any obstruction that interferes with a driver\u2019s clear view. Safety experts warn that snow or ice left on a vehicle can break loose while driving and create a hazard for other motorists, and drivers could still be cited if snow or ice falling from their vehicle contributes to a crash or dangerous roadway conditions, according to AAA and traffic safety guidance<\/a>.<\/p>\n A car drives down the street with snow piled on the roof in downtown Brampton, Ontario, on February 20, 2025. (Photo by Mike Campbell\/NurPhoto via Getty Images) <\/p>\n What you can do:<\/p>\n Before driving your car after snowfall:\u00a0<\/p>\n Clear your roof first, then hood\/trunk, then windows, mirrors, lights and your license plate area.Give yourself extra time after a storm so you\u2019re not rushing (and leaving snow that can slide off on a highway). <\/p>\n If you can\u2019t safely reach the roof, use a longer snow broom or reposition the vehicle somewhere safer to finish clearing it before driving.<\/p>\n What’s next:<\/p>\n Winter storms are when snow and ice are most likely to break loose from moving vehicles, especially as temperatures fluctuate and ice hardens overnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n Safety officials warn that even a short drive can turn dangerous if accumulated snow or ice comes off a car at speed and strikes another vehicle. Because drivers often travel between states with different laws, experts say the safest approach is simple: clear the entire vehicle every time, regardless of where you\u2019re driving.<\/p>\n The Source: This article was written using information from state law pages and related guidance, including Pennsylvania\u2019s vehicle code, the Virginia code, Delaware legislative text and FOX reporting.<\/p>\n Weather<\/a>New Jersey<\/a>Pennsylvania<\/a>Delaware<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"article PHILADELPHIA – Snow and ice left on a vehicle isn\u2019t just a visibility problem \u2013 it can…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":106199,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[30284,139,1962,539,69,71,70,593,1133],"class_list":{"0":"post-106198","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia","8":"tag-de","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-nj","11":"tag-pa","12":"tag-philadelphia","13":"tag-philadelphia-headlines","14":"tag-philadelphia-news","15":"tag-us","16":"tag-weather"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
If snow or ice falls from a moving vehicle and causes death or serious bodily injury, the fine can range from $200 to $1,500.<\/p>\n![\"gettyimages-464273370-scaled.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-464273370-scaled-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"gettyimages-2200115333-scaled.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2200115333-scaled-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n