ASSEMBLY, No. 1672

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 4, 1996

By Assemblyman CORODEMUS

An Act concerning the removal of snow and ice from 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 motor 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. The provisions of R.S.39:4-203 shall not be applicable.

    b. The division shall conduct a public information campaign to inform motorists of the danger to other motorists of not removing snow and ice from their vehicles.

    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 motor vehicles. 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 making unlawful the failure of such drivers to clear accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles. The bill's provisions apply only if there is an accumulation of one-half inch or more on any exterior surface of the vehicle.

    This bill also directs the Division of Motor Vehicles to undertake a public education campaign to inform motorists of the potential danger posed to other motorists by their failure to remove snow and ice from their vehicles.

Requires removal of snow and ice, from motor vehicles, mandates public education campaign on hazards of non-removal.