The Pennsylvania Senate is currently debating a bill to force tractor trailer drivers to remove the snow from their rigs. Below is a copy, cut and paste from the actual bill.
I see some problems here.
First, "reasonable efforts" is open to varied interpretation.
Second, the fines aren't high enough to encourage compliance.
Third, enforcement seems like a nightmare
Will truckers have to shovel off the roofs of their trailers? Looks that way. As someone who has behind many, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. It's dangerous stuff, and there was a fatality a few years ago here in our area. If memory serves, the irresponsible truck driver was never found.
It's something to think about as we head into a snowy stretch of winter.
1) A driver of a motor vehicle with a registered gross
13weight exceeding 48,000 pounds that is a truck tractor or
14combination being operated on a street or highway of this
15Commonwealth has an affirmative duty to make all reasonable
16efforts to remove all accumulated ice or snow from the motor
17vehicle, including the roof of the truck trailer or a vehicle
18in the combination.
13weight exceeding 48,000 pounds that is a truck tractor or
14combination being operated on a street or highway of this
15Commonwealth has an affirmative duty to make all reasonable
16efforts to remove all accumulated ice or snow from the motor
17vehicle, including the roof of the truck trailer or a vehicle
18in the combination.
19(2) A driver of a motor vehicle who violates this
1subsection may be stopped on a street or highway by a law
2enforcement officer if the law enforcement officer believes
3the accumulated ice or snow may pose a threat to persons or
4property.
2enforcement officer if the law enforcement officer believes
3the accumulated ice or snow may pose a threat to persons or
4property.
5(3) A person who violates this subsection shall be
6subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $75 for
7each offense regardless of whether any snow or ice is
8dislodged from the vehicle.
6subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $75 for
7each offense regardless of whether any snow or ice is
8dislodged from the vehicle.
9(b) Dislodged or fallen snow or ice.--When snow or ice is
10dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another
11vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury,
12the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice is
13dislodged or falls shall be subject to a fine of not less than
14$200 nor more than [$1,000] $1,500 for each offense.
10dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another
11vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury,
12the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice is
13dislodged or falls shall be subject to a fine of not less than
14$200 nor more than [$1,000] $1,500 for each offense.
