(Rock Creek, last Tuesday, from Flickr user Daquella manera)
After getting a trash talking from the 44th President, DC has decided to take substantial steps toward a cohesive snow removal policy. It came not a minute too soon, as we actually had a dusting here today. Combined with last weeks 2 inches of snow, that’s almost 3 inches on record this winter. How are we still alive?
But help is on the way: DCist reports, off a story from DC Wire, that the D.C. Council unanimously approved emergency legislation that requires drivers to remove snow and ice from their vehicles.
Three things strike me about this:
- The Council removed the $50 fine that used to go with this sort of action. So, the worst thing that can happen is a DC cop will talk real angry at you.
- This is apparently the first time DC has put together such a bill. What did they do before this if people had snow on their cars?
- I have to confess, the only criminal citation I have ever received was a citation for “failure to clear snow off window” in 2003. This hits close to home for me. (I think my fine was $25.)
I think my favorite part of this was the concern expressed by Councilor Mendelson (DC at large) – “It seems very, very…subjective on the part of a police officer… If a police officer doesn’t like me, I’ll get a ticket.”
I’ll admit my perspective on these things is far different than many down here. But buddy, it has to snow enough to stick on cars before you can start to worry about arbitrary enforcement.
