What's happening
This bill requires drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before driving, imposing fines for violations that cause injury or damage.
Why it matters
Addresses a common winter safety hazard. By requiring drivers to clear snow and ice from all parts of their vehicles (not just windows), the bill aims to prevent dangerous conditions where snow or ice can fly off and strike other vehicles or pedestrians, a frequent cause of accidents in snowy climates.
Imposes escalating penalties for harm caused. The legislation distinguishes between simple non-compliance (a $75 fine) and cases where failing to clear snow/ice results in injury or property damage, imposing much steeper fines—especially on commercial vehicle operators—which incentivizes greater care and responsibility.
Exempts parked and emergency vehicles. The bill ensures practicality by not penalizing vehicles while they are parked, and by exempting emergency vehicles, allowing critical services to respond quickly without being delayed by compliance concerns during emergencies.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Clear Snow Off Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1591
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring reasonable efforts be made to clear motor vehicles of accumulated snow and ice
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1229-e to read as follows:
§ 1229-e. Clearance of accumulated snow and ice. 1. A motor vehicle operator shall make reasonable efforts to remove accumulated snow or ice on such motor vehicle, including but not limited to the windshield, windows, hood, trunk and roof of such motor vehicle, before operating the motor vehicle on any street or highway of this state in order to not pose a threat to other persons or property. Any operator who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined seventy-five dollars.
2. An operator of a non-commercial motor vehicle who violates the provisions of this section where such violation results in the personal injury or damage to the property of another person, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for each offense. An operator of a commercial motor vehicle who violates the provisions of this section where such violation results in the personal injury or damage to the property of another person, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than twelve hundred fifty dollars for each offense.
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply:
(a) during the time such vehicle is parked, or
(b) to emergency vehicles as defined by section one hundred one of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00960-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring reasonable efforts be made to clear motor vehicles of accumulated snow and ice
Purpose or general idea of bill
To facilitate safer roadways in the State.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill creates a new violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law for failing to remove accumulated snow or ice from a motor vehicle where the snow or ice poses a threat to persons or property while vehicle is being operated. The fines are $75 or between $200 and $1,000 if such failure results in injuries or property damage, and between $500 and $1,250 if commercial vehicle violates this section and injuries or property damage results. The bill also provides exceptions to the application of the statute when a vehicle is parked or for emergency vehicles at all times.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth an immediate effective date.
Justification
Snow or ice falling from cars while on slick and busy roads can lead to tragedy. The snow and ice could lead to impaired visibility and or significant property damages such as, but not limited to, severely cracked windshields. The two other tri-state area states, Connecticut and New Jersey have passed laws requiring snow and ice be removed from cars and it is time New York follows suit.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.1155-A/A5985 (Lavine) 2013-14: S.7765/A.8882 (Lavine)
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None known.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect 60 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.