A Louisianian’s Quick Guide to Post-Snow Driving

Winter weather conditions have improved greatly the past few days. Roads are in much better condition. Businesses are opening back up. People are going back to work. All of which is fantastic to see.

However, right now, the two biggest problems I see on the roadways - people trying to drive like conditions are normal and folks not cleaning off their cars before hitting the road. The first issue...there's probably no fix to. I hate to say it, but there's a reason our insurance rates are so high. Good drivers aren't exactly plentiful in Louisiana.

The second issue is fixable. Just take an extra few minutes to clean off your car. It's makes your drive safer and safer for other drivers on the road.

Are You Liable For Accidents Caused by Flying Ice in Louisiana?

According to several lawyers in Louisiana & Texas, while it isn't technically illegal to drive with ice & snow on your car, YOU are responsible for any accidents caused by ice flying off your car. And you can be stopped, fined, or arrested if your vehicle is deemed to be endangering yourself or others. Proving liability is the only tricky part of this, but even so, be a good neighbor and clean off your ride regardless of legal liability!

Bad things can happen when that stuff breaks loose. Either you hit the breaks and that ice sheet completely covers your windshield making it impossible for you to see or it goes flying off the back of your car at 50+ mph. If one of those giant chunks hits another car at full speed...nothing good happens.

Tips to Clean Ice Off Your Car in Louisiana

Look, I get it. Louisiana doesn't exactly get a lot of snow and ice. So, cleaning your car isn't something you get used to. So, maybe folks just don't know what they're doing - which is fair.

AAA has some great tips to remove ice from your car:

Clear away as much snow as possible from around the tires under the vehicle and near the vehicle exhaust pipe. Keeping the vehicle exhaust is especially important in deep snow to avoid potentially hazardous build-up of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle.
If the car door or lock is frozen, apply gentle force to push and then pull on the door handle; use a de-icer fluid (kept in your house, not locked in the vehicle) to spray around the door seals and locks to help melt the ice; pour warm water over the car door and lock (not the window glass) to help thaw the ice; or use a match or lighter to heat the end of your key to help it melt the frozen lock mechanism.
Once you gain access into the vehicle, turn on the defrost system, adjusting the airflow to ‘recirculate,’ and the temperature control to full heat to help aid the melting of ice on the windshield and rear window. Softening the ice with the defroster will make it easier to scrape off.
Make sure side windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights and turn signals are unobstructed.
Remove snow from windshield wiper blades and ensure fluid nozzles are clear of snow or ice.
Do not use a shovel to remove snow from the body of your vehicle. This can cause scratches and damage to the paint. Use a soft bristle snow brush or pusher on the car body.
Never pour hot water over the vehicle windshield or windows. The frozen glass can easily shatter due to the sudden and extreme temperature change.
Do not pick at the ice on the windshield by using an ice pick, screwdriver or any metal object to remove the ice as this can shatter, crack or scratch the glass. Use a designated plastic ice scraper and snow brush