New Jersey Steps Up Enforcement Of Law For Drivers To Clear Snow Off Cars
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In the wake of this most recent snowstorm police in New Jersey have stepped up their enforcement of the law that requires residents to clean snow and ice off their vehicles.
Snow and ice blowing off of vehicles is a winter-driving danger as Cathy Eastman learned in 1996.
New Jersey Steps Up Enforcement Of Law For Drivers To Clear Snow Off Cars
"My daughter is getting married in August and it's bitter-sweet. She doesn't have her dad to give her away," Eastman told CBS 2's Tony Aiello.
Eastman's husband, Michael, was struck and killed by a chunk of ice that flew off of a truck and blasted through his windshield.
"He was on his way home from work, he was on Route 17 north when a huge chunk of ice came off the top of the trailer and went through his windshield," Eastman told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.
For several years since her husband's death, Eastman has been lobbying to make New Jersey's law requiring drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles even tougher than it is now, Rivera reported.
She recently wrote to police agencies in northern New Jersey, urging them to enforce the law, Aiello reported.
Paramus police could be seen doing their part, pulling over and writing up at least 18 vehicles on Friday for failing to clear accumulated snow and ice.
This difficult winter has left many wondering why New York doesn't have a similar law.
New York state Sen. Tony Avella has co-sponsored a bill similar to New Jersey's, but it's stuck in committee at the state capital - in part because of opposition from the trucking industry, Aiello reported.
"I hate to say this but it might take a death or some serious injury for this bill finally to move and that's a shame that that's what has to happen before we have some common sense in Albany," Avella said.
Critics argue removing snow and ice is common sense and shouldn't be legislated.
"I say to them I hope to God it never happens to you because then you'll be singing another tune," Eastman said.
Connecticut has a law similar to the one in New Jersey. It went into effect last month.
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