Does Illinois law require you to scrape ice, snow off your car before driving?
If you’ve got a commute to tackle or errands to run after Winter Storm Fern hit the metro-east over the weekend, you may have to uncover a snowy car. But does state law require you to scrape all the ice off your windshield?
Belleville received 8.6 inches of snow from the winter storm, according to the National Weather Service, and the roads won’t be completely cleared right away. Although road crews have been out plowing around the clock, cold temperatures limit the efficacy of popular road treatments.
The metro-east will see a brief warm-up Tuesday and Wednesday, with high temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but Belleville is not expected to get above-freezing temperatures until Monday, Feb. 2, the weather service forecasts.
After the mid-week warm-up, temperatures are expected to plummet again Thursday, ranging from 2 to 20 degrees, with an even colder Friday at 1 below to 15 degrees.
Here’s what to know about Illinois state law when scraping your car.
Does Illinois law require you to scrape your windshield?
Illinois state law requires drivers to remove snow or ice from their vehicle if it “materially obstructs” the driver’s view.
“Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with a device, controlled by the driver, for cleaning rain, snow, moisture, or other obstructions from the windshield; and no person shall drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture, or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver’s clear view of the highway,” the Illinois law states, in part.
When shoveling snow or clearing off your car, the Mayo Clinic recommends taking safety precautions for your health, such as warming up beforehand, drinking plenty of water and taking breaks when needed.
Winter driving safety tips
If you can’t avoid being on the road under wintry weather conditions, here are some safety tips from the NWS:
- Use your headlights. Bright snow does not guarantee visibility.
- Make sure you have plenty of gas.
- Leave plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles. It takes much longer for your car to come to a complete stop on slick roads.
- Drive slowly.
- Avoid unnecessary trips.
- Check road conditions before you leave.
You can check live road conditions from the Illinois Department of Transportation and Missouri Department of Transportation. As of Tuesday morning, IDOT reports state-maintained roads in the metro-east are “partly covered” with snow.
Auto club AAA also recommends people take steps to prepare their vehicles for winter, including:
- Get your battery tested.
- Check your antifreeze levels.
- Add hydrophobic repellent to your windshield.
- Check your tires, and change them if needed.
- Check your headlights.
- Have your brakes checked by a professional.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car.
Commonly recommended items to keep in your emergency kit include a portable cell phone charger, first aid kit, jumper cables, water, snacks, flashlight, blanket and ice scraper.
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