Police are reminding residents of state laws regarding ice and snow on motorists’ vehicles.
The Mt. Laurel Township Police Department is reminding residents to remove all accumulated ice and snow from their vehicles before driving.
Police specifically point to the hoods, windows and roofs of vehicles, where snow and ice can quickly accumulate.
According to police, motorists who properly fail to remove ice and snow from their vehicles face state-mandated fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle.
Police also note that if flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.
According to police, there are approximately 500 fatalities in the United States per year due to icy road conditions.
As such, police are promoting the following winter driving tips:
- Drive vehicles slow (at or below the posted speed limit) and adjust speed for the changing road conditions.
- Turn on a vehicle’s headlights, using low beams when traveling in snow.
- Increase a vehicle’s following distance in winter weather, traveling at least eight to 10 seconds behind other cars.
- Give snow plows plenty of room to work. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If a driver must pass, take extreme caution in doing so, as police say the field of vision for snow plow operators is restricted.
- If skidding, don’t brake or accelerate. Remove one’s foot from the gas and gently steer the car in the direction of the skid (the direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding). When the car starts heading in the desired direction, carefully straighten the wheel.
- Slow down before exiting the highway. Exit ramps often have icy patches, sharp curves and stalled or stopped vehicles.
- Have a personal safety kit easily accessible in one’s vehicle that includes: an ice scraper/brush, shovel, jumper cables or battery starter, blanket, sand, salt or kitty litter for traction, lock de-icer, a flashlight and new batteries, extra windshield wiper fluid, safety flares/warning device, a cell phone with a spare battery, water and non-perishable food (such as granola or protein bars) and paper towels or a cloth.
- If a vehicle does become disabled, pull off the road as far as possible and turn on emergency flashers. Remain with the vehicle until help arrives. If a driver can’t get the vehicle off the road and they are uncertain about their safety, do not stay in the vehicle or stand behind it. Proceed carefully to a safe location away from traffic.
