6/12/08-A bill in the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee would permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles were not cleared of snow and ice. The rule would apply to commercial and non-commercial vehicles. The Senate already approved it.
State law now prohibits car and truck drivers from being fined for driving a snow-capped 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.
Sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Sacco, D-North Bergen, S520 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. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
Drivers would not be liable for snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle while out on the road.
The bill was amended in committee to give trucks a year to comply with the rule. The full Senate later added the same exception for all other vehicles.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.

4/4/08-The Senate voted 35-1 to advance a bill to the Assembly that would permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles were not cleared of snow and ice. The rule would apply to commercial and non-commercial vehicles.
State law now prohibits car and truck drivers from being fined for driving a snow-capped 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.
Sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Sacco, D-North Bergen, S520 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. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
Drivers would not be liable for snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle while out on the road.
The bill was amended in committee to give trucks a year to comply with the rule. The full Senate later added the same exception for all other vehicles.
It is awaiting assignment to committee in the Assembly.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.

1/30/08-The Senate Transportation Committee voted to release a bill to the full Senate that would permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles are not cleared of snow and ice. The rule would apply to commercial and non-commercial vehicles.
State law now prohibits car and truck drivers from being fined for driving a snow-capped 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.
Sponsored by Senate Transportation Chairman Nicholas Sacco, D-North Bergen, S520 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. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
Drivers would not be liable for snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle while out on the road.
The bill was amended in committee to give trucks a year to comply with the rule.
A similar Assembly bill – A1718 – is in the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.