Please clear that heavy snow off your vehicle roofs. (living in, dangerous)

[vermonter16]

I know that many people drive SUVs and vehicles where it can be hard to get to the roof area. And I also know that the snow is very, very heavy... But, it is for the safety of those driving behind you. If any of those big chunks break free and hit the windshield of someone, it can possibly break through or cause an accident.

[Caladium]

Thanks for the reminder. This is the one problem with living in a place where heavy snows are rare. Many people don't know basic safety rules like this, or have forgotten them. (Then again, a few weeks ago I hear about a woman in Buffalo who was almost killed by snow flying off someone's car roof, so I guess they need reminders up there, too.)

[perries]

How about you quit tailgating people, eh?

[finini01]

I had this problem after the ice storm last week on 66 eastbound. Left and right enormous chunks of ice were flying off of cars and smashing into other peoples vehicles or exploding into clouds of dust on the ground. not safe!

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by perries

How about you quit tailgating people, eh?

You don't have to be tailgating for snow to fly off someone's roof and smack your windshield.

And how about you quit riding the brakes?

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by perries

How about you quit tailgating people, eh?

In the time it takes for a chunk of snow or ice to fly off a car's roof, travel through the air and land, a following car has already covered the distance even if following at a safe distance. I've seen chunks blow off tractor trailers and fly many yards through the air before hitting the road.

Additionally, the blown-off snow can create a momentary white-out condition. It's not safe, and there's no excuse other than laziness or obliviousness not to clear off our passenger vehicles.

[ngadude]

Agreed about clearing the snow off of vehicles and you don't have to be tailgating. Going along on I-66, a large chunk came off an SUV in the lane next to me that was a little ahead of me in the left lane and landed in center lane which is the lane I was in! It is just plain laziness and downright dangerous for people to drive like that. I saw someone with their back window completely covered with probably half a foot of snow.

It definitely has NOTHING to do with tailgating at all! I wish they'd ticket people who do this.

[Carlingtonian]

The easiest way to get rid of that snow on the roof is to use a push broom. It won't scratch the paint. (I wouldn't do this to an antique Ferrari--but on one would leave one of those out in a snowstorm anyway.)

[beatlecrazy]

I agree. I drive a Saturn Vue and I'm barely 5 feet tall and I know I can't reach the roof. But I find ways to do it, like opening the door and standing on the step there to reach. Last week when it iced real bad, I was driving behind a lady with a huge chunk of ice on her roof, and when she accelerated it flew over my car, over the person behind me, and crashed juuuust next to the 3rd car who swerved out of the way. The lady didn't seem to notice, she just kept going faster.

It is dangerous, and we weren't anywhere close to her. Scary!!

[bmwguydc]

Another option is to get one of the extendable cleaners with a brush, squeege on one side and an ice scaper on the other.

It works very well for SUVs and taller wagons, in my experience, and clears a regular car in a couple of passes, too. Mine folds into a size that's easily carried in the trunk or hatch area, not much larger than the standard brush/scraper combo, though I would use a hand held scaper for windows as opposed to the longer model.

Most auto parts stores have them, and they're around $20-$25. I think the last one I bought was under $20, and it's just as durable with a metal pole shaft and locking extension. I keep one handy in the car, training from growing up in the Northeast, and have even come to the rescue of people who were trying to clear a car with an umbrella. A folded umbrella does work in a pinch for light snow on windows, but is less effective with icier snows, and can scratch paint if there are any problems with the ribbing or fabric of the umbrella.