Put time aside time to clean snow off your car

Snow and ice can make for dangerous driving conditions, and even more dangerous is not properly clearing snow off your cars windshield, which can end up costing a motorist, too.

You’re required to remove snow from the roof of your car while driving; you could get a citation. According to Idaho State Law, no vehicle shall be operated when the windshield and windows of the vehicle are coated with ice, snow, sleet or dust to the extent that the driver’s view ahead, or to the sides or rear of the vehicle are obstructed.

We asked people at a local gas station if they knew they could be cited if they don’t clear snow off their vehicles.

Janace Perfhing said she’s seen people driving with inches worth of snow on top of their windshields.

“I’ve seen people driving around who haven’t even cleaned their windshield,” Perfhing said.

Yeni Cano had her run in with snow early Wednesday morning when she was leaving Ashton.

“You can see snow flying every where if it hit my windshield it could have damaged my car. But thankfully it didn’t. I think it’s important for people to clean off their cars before they get on the road,” Cano said.

Cano said she understands why people don’t.

“People don’t want to get up those five extra minutes because they are warm inside and it’s so cold outside. But it could help somebody and save their life.”

Cano said she often see’s people trying to drive with snow on their windshield.

“They’re trying to see through the little hole they’ve cleared off,” Cano said. “Everything else on the car has snow. Just clean your car off it will help everybody else, too.”

Idaho Falls Lt. Chris Weadick said snow blowing off a car driving in front of you can be dangerous.

“Sometimes we see motorist driving down the road with just a small square on their windshield that has been scrapped,” Weadick said.”They have their nose close to the wheel hunched over looking through the small area but they can’t see to the left or right of them. They are creating a very serious hazard for them and the others around them.”

According to Weadick, this type of violation is a hazardous moving violation and can cost $90.

“Use good common sense. Be safe clean windshields, headlights and side windows of your car off. And make sure you can see other motorist and that they can see you,” Weadick said.