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Since the law took effect Jan. 1, 2014 state police have issued at least 230 tickets to truckers and motorists who were driving snow-covered vehicles. At $120 per summons that amounts to
$27,600 in tickets in a month and a half.
The fine is $75, plus $45 in various surcharges.
Before starting your car make sure that you remove the snow from, the roof, the hood, the trunk,
all car windows and outside mirrors. The following Connecticut Motor Vehicle Department regulation pertains to snow removal and the fines associated with the regulation.
Sec. 14-99f. Windshield. Obstruction of view.
(a) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a windshield of a type prescribed by section 14-100 and a windshield cleaner or wiper in effective working order located directly in front of the operator while in use on the highway.
The windshield shall be reasonably free of defects and accumulations, inside and out, of snow, ice, condensation and dirt.
Fine $92.00
Coasting/sliding through stop signs is another situation that occurs when you are driving too fast for conditions and do not have enough space to stop. Below is the regulation and fine for failure to stop at stop
signs. Winter driving requires more awareness of the distance space and time required to stop a vehicle, as the roads may be icy and slippery. Remember – it takes about 200 feet in good conditions to stop a car traveling at 60mph; it’s wise to keep this
in mind as you drive!
Sec. 14-301. Through ways. Stop signs.
(c) The driver of a vehicle shall stop in obedience to a stop sign at such clearly marked stop line or lines as may be established by the traffic authority having jurisdiction or, in the absence
of such line or lines, shall stop in obedience to a stop sign at the entrance to a through highway and shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles not so obliged to stop which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate
hazard. Fine $129.00
It is easy to underestimate the conditions when driving in winter. Many international students have never encountered snow, let alone driven in it. There is no shame to driving slower in wintery conditions – do not feel pressure from other
driver’s around you to drive faster than you are comfortable doing. If another driver is pressuring you to drive faster – if it’s safe, pull over and let them pass. Gently tapping your brakes also lets the other driver know they are too close.
Keep in mind also, that you do not have to drive the speed limit posted on the roads. Speed limits are set for optimal conditions, and thinking that the speed limit is a certain miles per hour, so it must be safe to drive at that speed
is misleading. Reduce your speed in difficult driving conditions – it’s better to get to your destination later than not at all! For tips for driving in wintery conditions, please see
http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html
If you find yourself locked out of your car, the only option would be AAA or calling a local garage such as, Tony’s Garage or T&B Motors directly. There would be a cost associated with calling either Tony’s Garage or T&B directly. Unfortunately
the UConn Police Department no longer handles car lockouts. Please don’t call 911 if you locked yourself out of the car.
Another point to keep in mind is that all vehicles in Connecticut must have two licenses plates on the car, one in the front and one in the back. There are occasions when one of these plates fall off and you need to immediately get a replacement
plate. Here is the regulation and fine for losing a reflector zed plate.
Sec. 14-21b. Issuance of reflectorized number plates. Display. Infraction.
(c) The owner or lessee of each registered motor vehicle who is issued two fully reflectorized safety number plates by the commissioner shall display such plates on such motor vehicle as provided
in section 14-18 Fine $92.00
It is also strongly recommended that you carry blankets, a small snow shovel, a small broom to remove the snow off your car and a working flash light in an easy to reach place in your car. Just imagine if you are unlucky enough to go off
the road in winter, what would you want in your car to keep you safe and warm while you wait for help?
Remember – please drive carefully, it is going to be a long winter.
Bob Chudy