Bill > HB474

This bill, known as the "Clear Before You Drive Act," requires individuals to make reasonable efforts to remove accumulated snow and ice from exposed vehicle surfaces, such as the hood, trunk, windows, roof, and the top of trailers, before operating or towing a vehicle, provided that doing so would not violate workplace safety laws or threaten the operator's health or safety. Police officers can only enforce this provision as a secondary offense when a driver is stopped for another traffic violation. Violations carry escalating fines, with higher penalties for commercial vehicles, and each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense, though a person cannot be found in violation more than once in a 24-hour period. Furthermore, if a violation of this snow and ice removal requirement contributes to an accident resulting in property damage or serious bodily injury or death to another person, the penalties are significantly increased, ranging from $200 to $1,500 depending on whether a non-commercial or commercial vehicle was involved.