As if they needed it, Maine drivers have gotten plenty of practice driving in snowy conditions this winter.
Experience tells most of us that we can’t drive as fast as we normally would and we can’t stop as quickly either. As long as we remember those two rules and stay out of the way of the drivers who don’t, we can get where they need to go relatively safely.
A bill before the Legislature attempts to add another layer of safety in the form of a new moving violation for drivers who don’t remove all ice and snow from their vehicles.
The bill, which calls for a $250 fine for a first offense, does not just call for keeping windows unobstructed, which is just plain common sense. It would also require drivers to chip all the ice and snow off their vehicles, including the bumpers and the rooftops if they are going to drive faster than 40 miles an hour.
The sponsor, Rep. Jane Knapp, R-Gorham, said this measure could save a life and that’s important. But it would also put drivers in legal jeopardy for not removing ice that they can’t reach or won’t come off.
Better than making this a law enforcement issue, the state would do better to conduct a safe driving education campaign that warns people about the dangers of following too closely in bad weather. They include getting hit by snow falling off another vehicle.
A law might not be necessary, but a reminder would be worthwhile.
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