![['A photo of a car with snow all but covering a small part of the windshield in Liverpool.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/a-photo-of-a-car-with-snow-all-but-cover-2805125.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=compress%2Cformat%2Cenhance)
Failing to take those extra couple minutes to properly clear snow from your windshield will now hit you harder in the wallet.
The minimum fine for the infraction jumped from $45 up to $100 this week, with the maximum penalty increasing from $180 to $235.
Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act went into effect on Monday, Feb. 5.
“People who commit these offences put themselves and other members of the public at risk every day,” Service NL Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh said in a news release.
“Raising these fines is a means of deterring these unsafe practices on our roadways, and is part of our government’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety in our province.”
A breakdown of the changes, as per the provincial government, are as follows:
Summary of Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act
|
Section of HTA |
Description of Offence |
Current Fine |
Proposed Fine |
||
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
Minimum |
Maximum |
||
|
29 |
Failure to produce vehicle licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
30 |
Identification plates not securely fastened in proper position |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
31 |
Failure to keep identification plates clean |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
39 |
Failure to notify registrar of change of name |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
42(a)(iii) |
Operating a vehicle contrary to paragraph 10(1)(d) |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
43(4) |
No licence for class of motor vehicle |
50 100 300 |
50 200 500 |
300 800 1100 |
600 1100 1600 |
|
43(5) |
Invalid or no driver's licence |
50 100 300 |
50 200 500 |
300 800 1100 |
600 1100 1600 |
|
49(2) |
Licensee failing to produce licence upon request |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
50(2) |
Failure to return or deliver licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
57 |
Failure to notify registrar of lost driver's licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
75(5)(c) |
Failure to produce proof that a policy is in force |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
100(2) |
Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed not driving in right hand lane |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
111(1) |
Slow driving |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
144(o) |
Failure to observe traffic-control device prohibiting parking or stopping |
20 |
90 |
100 |
170 |
|
155(c) |
Driving motor vehicle with windshield, so covered with snow as to obscure or obstruct vision |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
187(5) |
Operating vehicle without proper equipment or of improper construction |
20 |
90 |
100 |
170 |
|
196(2) |
Failure to comply with vehicle inspection requirements |
60 |
120 |
100 |
160 |
