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Maryland committee hears bill to ban driving with dangerous snow and ice on vehicles
Summary
Delegate Edith Patterson told the Environment & Transportation Committee that HB 474 would make it illegal to operate or tow a vehicle when snow or ice on exposed surfaces contributes to an accident causing property damage, serious injury, or death. Supporters including AAA, trucking groups and a child witness urged a favorable report; sponsors said enforcement would be secondary unless an incident occurs.
Delegate Edith Patterson opened testimony for House Bill 474, called the Clear Before You Drive Act, arguing the measure targets a clear public-safety risk from snow and ice left on vehicle roofs, hoods and trailer tops. "Winter driving presents serious challenges, and those risks increase significantly when snow and ice are allowed to remain on vehicles," Patterson told the House Environment and Transportation Committee (for the record: Delegate Edith Patterson). The bill would bar operating or towing a vehicle when snow or ice on exposed surfaces contributes to an accident that causes property damage, serious bodily injury or death, and would make the prohibition enforceable as a secondary offense or when actual harm occurs.
The hearing included a short but…
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