New snow-and-ice laws in Maryland and Delaware are putting truck drivers on notice ahead of winter: clear snow and ice before driving, or risk a ticket — and if flying ice causes a crash, injury or death, a truck driver can face a fine of up to $1,500 in both states, according to Land Line Media, the magazine of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and OTR News.
Source: Land Line Media
In Maryland, the Clear Before You Drive Act took effect on Oct. 1. Land Line reports drivers must make reasonable efforts to remove snow and ice from all exposed surfaces — the hood, roof, trunk and windshield for cars, and for large trucks, the top of the trailer as well. Base fines start at $25 for passenger vehicles and $75 for large trucks.
Source: OTR News
Maryland police cannot pull a driver over solely for the snow-removal violation, Land Line says; if a driver is stopped for another reason, officers can still add the ticket. If flying snow or ice causes a crash or injury, a motorist could face a $200 fine and a truck driver up to $1,500. Drivers will not be ticketed if clearing the vehicle would violate workplace safety rules or put them in danger.
Delaware allows stops for uncleared vehicles
Delaware's new law, signed by Gov. Matt Meyer, is already in effect and lets police stop drivers whose snow- or ice-covered vehicles pose a danger, Land Line reports. Fines range from $25 to $75, rising to $1,000 for motorists and up to $1,500 for truck drivers if flying ice causes a crash or injuries. A driver can receive only one citation in 24 hours, and ice that builds up again during a trip does not count.
Truckers told Land Line the practical problem is access: there are not enough truck washes, drive-through scrapers or other facilities to handle the thousands of trucks travelling through Delaware each day, and clearing a tractor-trailer roof is a much bigger and riskier job than brushing off a car. Maryland and Delaware join a growing list of states with snow-removal laws that Land Line lists as including Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Clear hood, roof, cab and the top of the trailer before driving in Maryland and Delaware. Base fines are $25-$75; if flying ice causes a crash, truck fines can reach $1,500. Keep a safe way to clear the trailer — the laws excuse removal that would endanger the driver.