Many Americans may be accustomed to having to walk to their car every day before work to make sure their driveway is clear before they can drive to work, especially now that the winter snow season is well underway.
However, some homes without covered parking might additionally need to remove ice from their windows and snow from their car’s top. This is a common occurrence for most automobile owners, especially those who reside in New York State, where parking is required outside if you own a vehicle.
Is it against the law to drive when your car’s roof is covered in snow?
Shoveling the snow off your car’s roof is sometimes the last thing you want to do in the morning. The shortcut that most people are aware with is heating your car as quickly as possible, then using your wipers to remove any snow from your windshield before you leave.
Most individuals don’t make the effort to clean the snow off the roof every morning, especially if they are running late, but other people might be persistent enough to do it every day.
New Yorkers would be shocked to hear that driving a car without clearing the five or six inches of snow from your roof is actually against the law. The New York Senate claims that:
“Motor vehicles, with certain exceptions, shall not be operated with an accumulation of snow or ice on their surface; establishes fines for violations of these provisions; establishes a fund for the state’s portion of such fines, the “snow and ice removal fund,” with 15% going to the DOT and the Thruway authority for the establishment of snow and ice removal sites on their roads, 30% for a DOT grant program, and 10% for a public awareness campaign.”
Furthermore, according to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, “no person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the vehicle, and effectively setting the brake.” This means that leaving your car unattended with the ignition on is also illegal.
Remember that it is legally against the law the next time you turn on your ignition before rushing back inside for an additional five minutes of cold protection while your car warms up!
US states with the most snow
Snowfall in New York is among the highest in the nation. New York state receives 51.3 inches of snow annually on average. Due to the lake effect, Buffalo receives an average of nine feet of snow annually, making it one of the snowiest cities in New York.
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When a cold air mass passes over extended stretches of warmer lake water during cooler atmospheric conditions, lake-effect snow is created. One of the five Great Lakes of North America, Lake Erie, is located in Buffalo.
But Alaska is the snowiest state. Every year, Alaska receives around 73 inches of snow. The state is home to just over 730,000 people, which is not surprising given that snowfall is predicted for eight of the twelve months of the year.
By contrast, the population of New York state is close to 20 million. The state has plenty of natural beauty and beneficial government initiatives, even though the weather is far from optimal for most people.
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Pay attention to the vehicle you drive throughout the winter
Not only should New Yorkers be mindful of the snow on their car’s roof, but it’s also crucial that you pick your vehicle carefully if you’re from here or any other state that experiences heavy snowfall.
While some vehicles are better suited for warmer climates, some are better suited for harsher, colder circumstances. Make sure you thoroughly investigate your options before making a purchase if you’re in the market for a new vehicle.
