ASSEMBLY, No. 1546

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman PASCRELL, Assemblywoman Weinberg, Assemblymen Zisa and Steele

 

 

An Act concerning the removal of snow and ice from commercial motor vehicles and supplementing chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. a. It shall be unlawful to operate a commercial vehicle, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, on the streets or highways of this State if the vehicle has an accumulation of snow or ice, or any combination thereof, in excess of one-half inch in thickness upon any exterior surface.

    b. A violation of this act shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100.

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

STATEMENT

 

    As if the perils of slippery roads, poor visibility and frigid cold were not enough, New Jersey drivers must also confront the winter hazard posed by flying sheets of accumulated snow and ice launched from the tops of speeding trucks. These lethal "missiles" have caused numerous accidents either by direct hits on following vehicles or by forcing other drivers to take evasive action.

    This bill seeks to reduce this hazard by imposing a penalty on those who create it by their negligence in failing to clear accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles. The bill makes it unlawful to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this State if there is an accumulation of one-half inch or more on any exterior surface of the vehicle. Violators would be subject to a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100.

 

 

Requires removal of ice, snow from commercial vehicles.