Roads throughout the country become hazardous during the winter months, and Wisconsin is no exception. Among the most common causes of winter injuries are slip-and-fall accidents and car wrecks on slippery roads. However, there is another source of winter weather injuries that is easily preventable and too often forgotten. Hardened snow and ice flying off moving vehicles are immensely dangerous.
According to WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, failing to properly rid vehicles of snow and ice can result in direct damage to both person and property, as well as secondary accidents caused when drivers swerve to avoid the dangerous flying masses. On Feb. 11, 2019, a Wisconsin man was driving on a Dunn County highway when a large piece of dislodged ice and snow from another vehicle went through his windshield. The man sustained minor injuries, and his windshield was destroyed.
WTMJ-TV Milwaukee also reported a similar incident that occurred in 2018 in Columbia County when snow and ice flying off a vehicle injured a man and child. It is important to note that there is a $175 fine in Wisconsin for failure to keep car windows clear of snow.
It is easy to forget that slick roads are not the only driving hazard during Wisconsin winters. Drivers who neglect to keep the outside of their vehicle clear of snow could be responsible for causing personal injury and property damage to surrounding vehicles. Fortunately, this is a problem that is easily avoided by ensuring automobiles are free of ice and snow that could dislodge and cause harm.
