Local morning newscasts in Connecticut are leading off with this story (as seen at WFSB):
In the wake of several complaints and accidents, including one incident on Interstate 91 Tuesday, Gov. Jodi Rell is reminding motorists that it is a state law to remove ice and snow from their vehicles.[...]
Rell said as snow and ice fly off cars and trucks they become dangerous missiles that can break windshields and cause other serious damage. The governor says state police will be enforcing the law and citing drivers who fail to comply.
My wife and I had our regular 60 mile trek to see the doctor who implanted her occipital nerve stimulator. Riding I-91 down was “entertaining” because of the amount of snow spray and chunks of snow and ice that were flying from the tops of semi trailers and a few SUV’s, leftover from the weekend’s nor’easter.
I realize that cleaning off the tops of vehicles can be a pain (especially if one is short and/or has a particularly tall vehicle), but it is at a minimum common courtesy given the hazard leftover snow and ice can pose to others. (The WFSB article mentions one truck that had its air brakes disabled by flying ice slicing the wrong hose.)
It’s a shame that state troopers are having to enforce common courtesy, but maybe if some folks start getting tickets, the message will come across.
Then again, considering how many drivers still talk on their cell phones, without headsets, despite laws barring such behavior…perhaps I underestimate the egocentricness of Nutmegger drivers.