NH Drivers Cited For Failing To Clear Snow From Vehicles

SOUTHERN NH — New Hampshire State Police said officers stopped dozens of drivers Monday for failing to clear snow from their vehicles following this weekend's snowstorm. Police shared photos of two drivers who were stopped, shown above and below. "Jessica's Law," passed by state lawmakers in 2001, makes it illegal for citizens to drive snow- or ice-covered vehicles.

The law was named after Jessica Smith, a 20-year-old Nashua woman who was killed in 1999 in Peterborough when a chunk of ice flew off a truck and struck a trailing vehicle, leading to a crash involving Smith's car.

Penalties for violating the law start at $250 to $500 for a first offense. The penalties increase to $500 up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses — including license suspension. Massachusetts has a similar law on the books.

On Monday, police told WCVB a chunk of ice flew off one vehicle in Weston, Massachusetts, and crashed through the windshield of a trailing vehicle, causing minor injuries to two occupants.

In 2011, a woman was seriously injured in Mason, New Hampshire, after flying ice from another vehicle struck her vehicle.

Photo credit: New Hampshire State Police