Drivers and towers must make efforts to clear dangerous snow

Before operating or towing a vehicle, a person must make reasonable efforts to remove threatening snow and ice from exposed surfaces. Covered surfaces include the hood, trunk, windshield, windows, roof, truck cab, and the top of a trailer being towed or a commercial trailer. The duty does not apply if following it would violate workplace safety rules or threaten the operator’s health or safety. Police may enforce this rule only as a secondary action when stopping a driver for a suspected violation of another vehicle law. For ordinary violations, fines increase with repeat offenses: up to $200 for a noncommercial vehicle and up to $1,000 for a commercial vehicle. A person may not be found in violation more than once in any 24-hour period. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026, and the removal efforts must happen before driving or towing.

A person may not violate the snow and ice rule in a way that contributes to a crash causing property damage, death, or serious injury to another person. This applies to a person operating or towing a commercial or noncommercial vehicle when the violation contributes to the crash. If convicted, a person faces a fine of $200 to $1,000 for a noncommercial vehicle or $500 to $1,500 for a commercial vehicle. This rule takes effect October 1, 2026.