Snow Is Coming! Don’t Get Fined for This Common Winter Driving Mistake in Illinois

Snow is coming soon to Illinois, and if you break this one important winter driving law, police WILL give you a ticket.

Illinois Winter Storm Watch

In case you haven't heard, two major snow events are being forecasted for Northern Illinois this week, with the biggest one starting on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the majority of Illinois starting at 9 a.m. on February 12 through 3 a.m. on February 13, and here's a brief look at what we can expect...

Honestly, I'm kind of excited to see fresh, beautiful snow blanketing the ground around me, but you know what I'm not excited about? Driving in it!

Sliding around on snow covered roads and trying to see through a thick blanket of rapidly falling snow is something I try to avoid at all costs, but there’s one thing that makes it even worse; people who forget (or refuse) to clear the snow off their cars.

I know you've seen the ones I'm talking about...drivers rolling down the road with several inches of snow stacked on their roof. The laziness of this situation isn't what bothers me, the danger of it is. That car's snow stack is an avalanche waiting to launch onto a car behind them, and that can lead to very bad things.

Illinois’ ‘Snow Mattress Law’

Illinois driving laws are pretty clear about this: you have a legal duty to remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before hitting the road;

Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle, clear all windows and do not start driving until the windshield is defrosted and clear. Be sure that you have nonfreezing windshield washer liquid, and that the vehicle’s headlights and taillights are visible.

Neglecting to remove snow from all areas of your vehicle not only puts you and other drivers in danger, but it could also land you a minimum $100 fine.  Plus, if your flying snow chunks cause an accident, you WILL be held liable.

The moral of this story is;  "snow mattresses" can, and do, cause serious accidents. Taking five extra minutes, (and grabbing a step stool if you're short),  to clear off your car is a lot easier (and cheaper) than dealing with a lawsuit.

Now, let’s all go enjoy the snow...responsibly, please.