Not clearing the snow off your vehicle can cost you more than $100, as one motorist in Nanaimo has learned.
Nanaimo RCMP warned motorosts about safe winter driving today, providing the example of a $109 ticket issued yesterday. A snow-covered pickup truck was pulled over on Rutherford Road on Wednesday morning.
Const. Gary O’Brien, spokesman for the Nanaimo RCMP, said the motorist was pulled over, informed about the dangers of driving with snow on his vehicle and issued a driving while view obstructed ticket. O’Brien said the snow on the truck’s roof was of particular concern because it had the potential to fly off.
“When the inside of the cab heats up, once the vehicle brakes or comes to a light, the snow can fly forward and it can then obstruct their windshield or another motorist’s windshield,” O’Brien said.
Nanaimo police have issued a “handful” of such tickets to motorists since snow began falling in the city this week, according to O’Brien. He said motorists should clear the snow completely off their vehicle, especially the windshields, as it can be dangerous.
“If snow flies off it can be a threat to other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists,” O’Brien said, adding that the rear licence plate and decal must also be visible at all times as well.
Environment Canada is expecting an additional 5-10 centimetres of snow for Nanaimo.
“If you’re not comfortable driving in those conditions, don’t drive,” O’Brien said. “It doesn’t get any more simple than that.”
This is not cool- Classic example of "Drive While View Obstructed" which landed the driver a $109 fine under the Motor Vehicle Act. This is a real hazard. Take the time to clean off your vehicle before driving @DriveBC @cityofnanaimo pic.twitter.com/LhtLbviaoL
— Nanaimo RCMP (@NanaimoRCMP) February 14, 2019
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