Twin Cities Drivers Report Ice Flying Into Windshields
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Cleaning off your car from snow may seem like a hassle, but it could prevent an accident.
A WCCO-TV viewer named Tom shared a picture Wednesday of his shattered windshield. He said ice flew off the roof of a semi on Interstate 694 near Shoreview.
"I swerved just enough so that the brunt of the impact hit my passenger side windshield more than the driver's side. The damage is very, very intense and the windshield is completely caved in. I am lucky to be unhurt, and had I not swerved, I may not be here," he said.
He wasn't the only one to deal with a damaged windshield in the wake of the weekend blizzard.
Park Ranger Samantha Mamer was heading east on County Highway 50 near New Trier on Tuesday, and as she met a semi traveling west, she spotted something.
"I noticed a huge chunk of ice lift up and drop, so I closed my eyes and it shattered," she said.
Mamer was able to slow down and pull over without getting into an accident. She only suffered a cut on her finger.
The other driver kept going.
"I honestly don't even think he knew what happened," she said.
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office posted pictures of the ranger's car to Facebook with a warning: Clean off your vehicles.
"Drivers are required by state statute to prevent any snow or ice from falling on the roadway or other vehicles," said Sgt. Ryan Holmquist, with the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.
Semis have additional federal regulations.
So how much snow and ice do you have to have cleaned off your car?
The Minnesota State Patrol says you are required to have your front windshield and front side windows clear as to not obstruct vision.
But if enough snow and ice are coming off your car, that can be enough for authorities to pull you over for a misdemeanor and a fine.
