Politics & Government

Clean That Snow Off Your Car or Face a $75 Fine, Starting Dec. 31

A law adopted in 2010 by the Connecticut General Assembly goes into effect on Dec. 31, 2013. The fines are even steeper if the snow on your car flies off and hits another vehicle.

Beginning Dec. 31, Connecticut residents will have a financial incentive to clean the snow and ice off their cars — a $75 fine.

The penalty comes under a law enacted in 2010 that is set to take effect on the last day of 2013. The Connecticut General Assembly passed the law in an effort to prevent the dangers of so-called ice missiles — the accumulation of snow and ice on a vehicle that can fly off while driving and hit other vehicles.

The fine actually increases if snow dislodged from your car strikes another and causes property damage or personal injury, according to the law. For noncommercial vehicles, the fine would be no less than $200 but not more than $1,000; for commercial vehicles, it's no less than $500 but no more than $1,200.

Find out what's happening in Windsor Locks-East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The law, Public Act No. 10-182, An Act Concerning The Removal of Snow and Ice From Motor Vehicles, reads in part:

"The operator of any motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statutes, shall remove any accumulated ice or snow from such motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of such motor vehicle, so that any ice or snow accumulated on such vehicle does not pose a threat to persons or property while the vehicle is being operated on any street or highway of this state."

Find out what's happening in Windsor Locks-East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The law does not apply if your vehicle is parked or if the snow and ice accumulated on your vehicle while you were driving in a storm.


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