The Dangers of Snow and Ice
Accumulation on Vehicles

During winter months, many regions in the United States experience significant snow and ice accumulation. This accumulation is capable of causing property damage and injury to other motorists when it is dislodged from automobiles, straight trucks, intermodal containers, large trucks, trailers and buses during travel.

A handful of states have enacted laws requiring motorists to remove all ice and snow from vehicles before driving. In some states, minimal fines are incurred for failing to do so; and in others, motorists are fined up to $1,250 if snow or ice falls from their vehicle, causing injury or property damage.

The most recent survey conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that 35 percent of the motor carrier respondents had experienced an incident in which snow or ice falling from their vehicle caused either bodily injury or property damage to another vehicle. Insurance claims resulted from 65 percent of the reported incidents. Still, more than half of all respondents reported that they never or rarely removed accumulated snow and ice from trailer tops.

It was found that worker hazards associated with clearing snow and ice from the tops of commercial motor vehicles, the limited availability and efficacy of snow removal devices, and the lack of available vehicle-based solutions have challenged the ability to effectively address the safety concerns posed by accumulation on vehicles.

In response to its findings, ATRI has started a three-stage campaign to notify motorists of these dangers.

• The short-term goal is to educate operators of all vehicle types through public outreach.
• The mid-term action will look into installation of snow removal devices at weigh stations and ports of entry. The insurance industry will track the frequency of claims due to falling ice and snow.
• Long-term investigations will concentrate on potential vehicle-based solutions that prevent or impede snow and ice accumulation.

You can help reduce property damage and injury to other motorists by informing your drivers of the safety risks posed by snow and ice accumulation on their trucks and trailers. For more information or to receive a copy of this ATRI report, visit www.atri-online.org.

As a reminder to drive safely on snow and ice, Baldwin & Lyons is offering the following poster, free of charge:

THINK YOU CAN DRIVE FAST ON SNOW AND ICE?
To order this poster, contact the Loss Prevention Resource Library at (317) 636-9800 or by email at thequill@baldwinandlyons.com. Please refer to our Resource Library for video training programs to enhance safe driving techniques on snow and ice.

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