NJ Law Requires Removal of Ice and Snow from Vehicle Rooftops

After a snowfall or an icy day or night, there are certain steps that drivers need to take in order to ensure that they are keeping themselves and others safe. Making sure that your car’s roof is free of snow or ice is one of those steps–in fact, there is even a law that requires this action in the state of New Jersey! According to a recent South Jersey Times article, the state’s Motor Vehicle Law §39.4-77.1 mandates that drivers clear their vehicle roofs of all snow and ice before they get on the road.

When drivers do no clear their vehicle rooftops, the ice or snow can end up flying off and hitting other cars on the roadway. The New Jersey law mentioned above was actually driven by such incidents that resulted in property damage, injuries and even some deaths, according to the news story. The hazard of ice or snow on a vehicle roof can become even more dangerous when the offender’s vehicle is a large commercial vehicle, such as a tractor trailer. In the South Jersey Times article, one police chief was quoted saying that when people fail to comply with the law and they cause accidents or damage as a result, they can be held accountable under both criminal law and civil law.

Drivers have a responsibility to drive cautiously while on the roadways, especially when they are driving in wet or icy conditions. When they fail to carry out this responsibility, they can end up being sued if their negligence leads to the harm of others. If you were a victim in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone’s failure to remove ice or snow from his or her vehicle or from other acts of negligence, our New Jersey personal injury attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm may be able to help you seek compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuits. The firm has over 25 years of experience and partner Todd Leonard is certified civil trial attorney. Contact our firm today at (973) 920-7900 so that our legal team we can assist you.