Times Observer art by Dave Ferry The above illustration depicts a car zooming across the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge with no more than a small viewport on the front windshield for the driver. Regulations in the vehicle code require no obstructions on front, rear or side windows. Drivers who fail to remove snow and ice from the roof of a moving vehicle could be subject to a fine if it were to fall and strike another vehicle or pedestrian.

Winter might have left us for a few days but it’s coming back with a vengeance.

And when it comes back, we should make sure we clean it off of our car roofs because, well, it’s the law.

If you’re like us, you probably assumed there were regulations regarding roof snow.

But what are they?

“When snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of the vehicle from which snow or ice is dislodged or falls shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.”

That language from the vehicle code indicates that the standard is higher than just causing an accident.

“As I understand it,” City of Warren Police Chief Brandon Deppen said, “it only applies if there is a substantial injury. I do believe there is a push to change it to any injury.”

While that threshold might seem high, section 4524 of the vehicle code – Windshield obstructions and wipers – appears to lower the burden.

That code sections includes language for “Obstruction on front windshield” and “Obstruction on side and rear windows.”

“No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway” beyond items such as required stickers or signs.The language for side and rear windows is nearly identical.

“While a violation of (that section) is only a summary offense subject to a $25 fine, the citation amount will exceed $120 after administrative fees and court costs are added in,” Deppen said. “That’s a lot to pay when an ice scraper can be purchased for $5 to $10 and the windows cleared in 10 minutes.”

“So take a few minutes to clear off your vehicle.”