Maryland Lawmakers Propose Bill to Require Clearing Snow and Ice from Vehicles

Legislation introduced after 8-year-old girl's frightening highway experience

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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An 8-year-old Maryland girl is urging state lawmakers to introduce a bill that would require drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, including the hood and roof, after a near-miss incident on the highway last winter. The proposed legislation would make it a secondary offense for drivers to fail to remove snow and ice, with fines starting at $25 for first-time offenders.

Why it matters

The goal of the proposed law is to prevent injuries and deaths caused by snow and ice flying off moving vehicles and creating hazards for other drivers. While official statistics are limited, there have been reported incidents of drivers and even law enforcement being injured by dislodged snow and ice.

The details

Last winter, 8-year-old Lucy Goldband and her father were driving on Interstate 270 when snow flew off the top of another vehicle and into their path, forcing them to swerve. This experience prompted Goldband to research whether there was a law requiring drivers to clear snow from their vehicles, which there was not. She then wrote letters to state lawmakers urging them to introduce such legislation. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Edith Patterson, would make it a secondary offense for drivers to fail to make a reasonable effort to remove snow and ice, with fines starting at $25.

  • Last winter, in an incident on Interstate 270
  • On Thursday, Goldband testified before the House Committee on Transportation in Annapolis

The players

Lucy Goldband

An 8-year-old Maryland girl who experienced a near-miss incident on the highway and urged lawmakers to introduce legislation requiring drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles.

Edith Patterson

A Charles County Delegate who sponsored the proposed bill to require drivers to remove snow and ice from their vehicles.

Ragina Ali

A spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic who spoke in support of the proposed legislation.

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What they’re saying

“We were driving on 270 — I can't remember where we were going — but then the snow flew off the car and we had to swerve to get around it.”

— Lucy Goldband

“Most people obviously clear off their windshield and their back window for their own visibility, but maybe not as thoughtful or mindful that you also need to remove the snow from the hood and roof.”

— Ragina Ali, Spokesperson, AAA Mid-Atlantic

What’s next

If approved by the House Committee on Transportation, the measure will advance to the full House of Delegates for consideration.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the importance of driver responsibility and awareness when it comes to removing snow and ice from vehicles, in order to prevent hazardous situations and potential tragedies on the roads.