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The dangers of not properly clearing snow and ice off your car

Posted at 6:31 PM, Dec 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-11 18:31:27-05

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- If you've ever driven after a snowstorm, you've seen it, a sheet of ice or snow flying off the roof of a car, into the air and you don't know where it's going to land.

Here in the Commonwealth, it's not illegal to not clean off your car, but some believe it should be.

"I was an unfortunate victim," said Chris Wilmoth, remembering January 2016. "A sheet of ice flew off their truck into my lane and impaled the front of my truck," said Wilmoth.

"It shook me up pretty bad," he added.

It's something Wilmoth can't forget as he faces oncoming traffic after a heavy snow.

Wilmoth now believes there should be a law or some type of legislation to prevent it from happening to him and others.

But proposed legislation in January to make it illegal to drive with snow on top of vehicles, and imposed a $100 fine for not removing the snow.

Delegate Mike Mullin (D-Newport News) introduced HB 207 in January. The House Transportation subcommittee 1  voted 7-3  to pass it by indefinitely on January 23.

Delegate Mullins sent CBS 6 a statement that read.

"Winter roads are already dangerous with snow and ice, I believe each of us can help make them a little bit safer by doing our part and clearing the snow from our cars," said Mullins. "Unfortunately, HB 207 did not pass and was left in the Transportation Committee. It is my hope that more people will clean off their cars and keep us all safer on the road."

Wilmoth says accidents caused by flying snow and ice are 100 percent avoidable.

Ryan Stainback with Colonial Heights Collision agreed.

"Just this week we've probably already got three claims from ice coming off vehicles," he explained.

Stainback says drivers need to make the effort.

"All you have to do is spend a little bit of time cleaning your whole car off and this can be avoided."

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