Heads up, New Jersey truckers! It is imperative that you take time now to contact your state senator about a bill advancing in the New Jersey Senate that would permit police to pull over truck drivers and others whose vehicles are not cleared of snow and ice.

State law now prohibits car and truck drivers from being fined for driving a snow-covered vehicle. However, if a piece of ice falls from a vehicle and causes injury or property damage, car drivers face fines between $200 and $1,000, while truck drivers could be fined $500 to $1,500.

A bill by Senate Transportation Chairman Nicholas Sacco would make drivers responsible for making “all reasonable efforts to remove accumulated ice or snow from the motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof prior to operation.” Violators would face fines between $25 and $75.

Drivers would not be liable for snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle while out on the road.

The Senate Transportation Committee recently voted to release the bill – S520 – to the full Senate. It soon could come up for consideration on the chamber floor.

Please take time now to contact your state senator about this bill. It is important to point out to them the near impossibility of complying with such a rule that requires people to climb atop large vehicles to remove snow or ice.

To voice concerns about the bill – S520, click here to scroll to find your district. Click on your district, and your lawmakers’ names will appear. By clicking on a lawmaker’s name you will be forwarded to the homepage and contact information. You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they will look up the information for you.

An e-mail and a phone call could do wonders to head off this misguided effort!

Thanks for your support.