Kitsap County in Washington state recently faced a heavy snowfall, tallying roughly 12 inches. Snow is not unusual there, yet it has a sharp way of exposing flawed judgments behind the wheel.
One motorist traveled along SR16 with the windshield nearly sealed by snow. Nearby drivers could not tolerate the chaotic maneuvering and alerted local authorities.
In this incident, the driver appeared to have severely impaired visibility but continued for nearly 6 miles in that condition. A police officer ultimately halted the vehicle. The driver claimed the windshield wipers were malfunctioning, yet the assertion failed under scrutiny; brushing away the snow or clearing it by hand would have been far more effective and safer.
Two simple actions could have prevented the danger: removing snow with a quick brush stroke or clearing visibility with a scraper and hand motions. Both options demand far less effort than facing a substantial fine for negligent driving. The penalty in this case could reach several hundred dollars, a consequence designed to deter complacent and dangerous road behavior.
Citation: Carscoops. Photo: Depositphotos, Washington State Police Department
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