With Connecticut legislators considering fines for drivers who cause crashes because they did not clear their vehicles' roofs of ice and snow, the American Trucking Associations is asking the American Transportation Research Institute to study the issue.

Uncleared snow on vehicle roofs can lead to what Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell calls "ice missiles," large sheets of snow and ice that fly into traffic and can break windshields or cause other damage. Proposed rules call for fines of $200 to $1,000 for drivers who leave snow and ice on their vehicles and cause a crash or injury when it dislodges and flies off. The rules would apply to any vehicle, but supporters of the measure have specifically mentioned large commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers, according to the Associated Press.
The trucking industry, however, is concerned because it is difficult and unsafe for drivers to climb on top of trucks to remove snow and ice. That's why ATA President Bill Graves wrote a letter to Rell expressing his concerns and informing her that ATRI would study ways for drivers to safely remove snow and ice from their vehicles. But Rell said she doesn't think the issue needs further study, reported the AP.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania already have snow and ice regulations in place.