Comments on: Why do motorists still drive blind in the winter?

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:15:54 +0000

If you’re not physically able to remove snow from your roof, how on earth do you think you’d be physically able to react quickly to various scenarios on the road? Thanks for letting us all know that there’s one more unsafe driver out there!

By: MeHa

MeHa — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:07:54 +0000

Yeah, it sucks doesn’t it. Except that, as everyone knows, police “getting off easy” for criminal activity has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO with ensuring a clear view and preventing danger to people behind you by removing snow and ice from your car.

Non-sequiter is only funny in comic strips.

By: George Miron

George Miron — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:58:08 +0000

Except that, as everyone knows, there’s one “law” for Law Enforcement Officers and another “law” for everyone else… just see the story in today’s paper about the Durham Constable who received only a fine (several days after the infraction instead of an immediate “stunt driving” license suspension and impound of vehicle) for driving 189 km/h in an 80 km/h zone while off duty…

By: ProPAL

ProPAL — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:54:47 +0000

There is a flaw to this as it was posted either here or on another Canadian website that the rear view window does not need to be cleared for view. This was before the winter season however the argument was you could not be fined as long as your two side mirrors were clear and operational. To the point above this is how trucks operate everyday.

Here is the sub-clause tied to HTA 74 (B):

(2) Clause (1) (b) does not apply to a motor vehicle that is equipped with a mirror or mirrors securely attached to the motor vehicle and placed in such a position and maintained in such a condition as to afford the driver, otherwise than through the rear window, a clearly-reflected view of the roadway in the rear or of any vehicle approaching from the rear. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 74 (2).

By: Chakat Firepaw

Chakat Firepaw — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:41:42 +0000

The side mirrors on most cars do not even come close to qualifying for that. That exception is for things like those supplemental mirrors you attach to your car when towing a trailer.

By: Athena

Athena — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:01:47 +0000

@Kerry, what a rude and insensitive response to a non-issue. You think I sound entitled because I admit to having difficulty clearing the last bits of snow from the middle of my roof? Snow that does not cause a visibility problem for me as the driver, or a danger problem to anyone else on the road? I merely expressed a truth that some people are not physically able to deal with the volume of snow we get in some parts of Canada. Unless you enjoy the luxury of a heated garage in an area where snow does not blow from farmer’s fields to your car, I’ll bet there isn’t a person here who can say that they have never driven with some snow on some part of their car. Did you clear the heavy frozen stuff that accumulates on the under-carriage? It can dislodge too. Do you ever drive in areas where the snow is coming down faster than you can clear it? Is this against the law too and am I “entitled” for not getting out of my car on the highway, risking injury, just to clear it. Is it not possible to have a polite conversation on these boards without someone judging us? You proved exactly what I wrote about in my first post. Judge and jury.

By: nic

nic — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:27:51 +0000

One time. l was on the 401 in Toronto.
Hwy was parked due to accident.
Perfect time for Police to walk around and
give out tickets to cars not cleared of snow.
Which is what they did that time.

By: Home From Away

Home From Away — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:17:36 +0000

I live across the street from the North Bay Police Services (NBPS) Headquarters and you wouldn’t believe the number of times a cruiser leaves the Headquarters Parking Lot without cleaning all of its windows.

One day I was out sholving snow (it was not snowing at the time) when a cruiser left the Parking Lot with only the front window cleaned where the windshield wipers had cleaned it. After I had finished sholving snow, I went over to the Police Station. I mentioned to the Desk Sergent on duty that the cruiser had only the front window cleaned where the windshield wipers had cleaned. His comment to me was that “…the Police Officer was in a hurry…” I said that as the Police officer got in the cruiser he could have at least used his arm to clean part of the Back Window and the left side windows.

That is when I realized that there is one law for the ordinary citizens and another for the Police.

The Police Officers are notorious in North Bay in not stopping at stop signs or red lights when turning right

By: ChevyTuco

ChevyTuco — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:56:35 +0000

Totally agree— being lazy for themselves puts others definitely at risk and unfortunately as a second thought, themselves as well. Burn off a scoop of jam and clear that window.

By: Huh

Huh — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:34:48 +0000

Your interpretation of the rear window being cleared is flawed. If it were that simple no one could ever tow a large trailer with a car/SUV/Pickup/Whatever. Fact is you have mirrors to see behind, just like tractor trailers have, and you are not going to get a ticket for having a rear window obstruction that is a trailer. It is kind of a stupid law because it is only relevant if you’re not towing something and you still have mirrors in that case as well. Nothing like a web of poorly thought out laws.