Ice and Snow – Remove it Before You Go

Ice and Snow – Remove it Before You Go

Ice & Snow – Remove It Before You Go

Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense. There are approximately 500 fatalities in the United States per year due to icy road conditions.

Winter Driving Tips I Links

Drive slow (at or below the posted speed limit) and adjust your speed for the changing road conditions. Turn on your headlights, using low beams when traveling in snow. Increase your following distance. In winter weather, travel at least eight to 10 seconds behind the car in front of you. Give snowplows plenty of room to work. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution in doing so. Remember, a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see him, but they don’t always see you. If you skid, don’t brake or accelerate. Remove your foot from the gas, and gently steer your car in the direction of the skid (the direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding.) When your car starts heading in the desired direction, carefully straighten the wheel. Slow down before exiting the highway. Exit ramps often have icy patches, sharp curves and stalled or stopped vehicles. Have a personal safety kit easily accessible in your vehicle that includes: an ice scraper/brush; shovel; jumper cables or battery starter; blanket; sand, salt or kitty litter for traction; lock de-icer; flashlight and new batteries; extra windshield wiper fluid; safety flares/warning device; cell phone with spare battery; water and non-perishable food (i.e., granola or protein bars); and paper towels or a cloth. If your vehicle does become disabled, pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your emergency flashers. Remain with your vehicle until help arrives. If you can’t get your vehicle off the road and are uncertain about your safety, do not stay in your vehicle or stand behind it. Proceed carefully to a safe location away from traffic.

Links I Winter Driving Tips

Ice & Snow Palm Card – Produced by the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety, this two-sided color palm card addresses the safety concerns and penalties associated with not adequately removing all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving. Additionally, it includes a list of “Winter Driving Tips” to help ensure the safety of motorists during this challenging driving season. Ice & Snow Poster – Measuring 12″ x 18″, this informational poster should play an integral part in any Winter driving awareness campaign. Ice & Snow Removal Law video – A 30-second TV PSA reminding motorists that they must remove all ice and snow from their vehicles before driving. NJ511 Alerts – Presented by the NJ Department of Transportation, this Google Maps based web page was designed to complement the NJ511 telephone service. It provides an easy, user friendly way for commuters to see where incidents, accidents, congestion and events like weather and construction are occurring on New Jersey’s roads. Snow and Ice Removal Equipment Current Locations – This is the list of current locations of snow and ice removal devices funded by grants through the State of NJ Snow and Ice Removal Fund, administered by NJDHTS. The locations listed are open to all commercial vehicles.