Christine’s Law: Drivers face fines if they don’t remove snow and ice from cars

Drivers face hefty fines if they don’t remove snow and ice from their vehicles 24 hours after any snowfall.

The problem is, many drivers aren’t aware of Christine’s Law.

“I think it’s a wonderful. I think it’s always been our responsibility. We didn’t have laws like that growing up,” said Donna Pierce. “I was taught to do those things.”

This winter marks the first season since Christine’s Law went into effect.

The state law is named in memory of Christine Lambert, who was killed on Christmas Day in 2005 when a large piece of ice broke free from a passing truck and crashed through her windshield.

The truck driver was never found.

Senator Lisa Boscola sponsored the legislation.

“This icy missile, I call it, dislodged from a tractor-trailer, hit the windshield, and immediately went through the entire windshield, hit Mrs. Lambert in the head and she died instantly,” Boscola said.

Christine’s Law gives police discretion to pull over a vehicle with a buildup of ice or snow that poses a potential hazard.

Violators face a $50 fine for each offense of not removing snow and ice from their vehicles 24 hours after any snowfall.

There’s a $200 to $1,500 fine when snow or ice falls from a moving vehicle and hits another vehicle or pedestrian causing serious injury or death.

Christine’s Law went into effect in September.

Winter weather driving tips from AAA, PennDOT

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