ROANOKE, Va – Slick conditions aren’t the only risk on the road. Snow and ice left on the roofs of cars can also cause significant damage.
Douglas Halbert said his windshield was shattered by a block of frozen debris that was around the size of a pizza box. Thankfully he and his son weren’t hurt.
“Some people say, you’re following too close. I wasn’t following too close. And the other people say, well, you don’t have to clear it off. Well, it may not be a law. It may be a law. It is just common courtesy,” said Halbert. “People just need to be more conscious of their actions impacting other people.”
Unlike some states, Virginia doesn’t require drivers to remove ice and snow from the roof of cars. A few years ago Virginia lawmakers introduced a bill that would impose fines on anyone with snow on their roofs, but the bill died in committee. Despite this experts say it’s an important courtesy and safety reminder, especially during winter weather.
“What you drove past earlier isn’t going to be the same thing that you’re driving on. Bringing those speeds down, increasing that following distance and driving very gently.” Said Morgan Dean, a AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson.
You should also make sure your headlights and tail lights are cleared before heading out on the road.
