The RCMP are frosty to the idea of drivers not making sure they’ve cleared their windows before heading out onto Drumheller streets.
Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins wants to spread the message that not clearing your windows at best could lead to a fine, at the worst, it could pose a hazard that could lead to an accident.
Hopkins tells inSide Drumheller the recent chilly mornings have led to heavy frost on cars, and in his short commute to work, he has noticed many drivers who do not take the time to simply scrape their windshields.
“People got lazy because we had the warm weather, but now we have the frost; people simply have to scrape their windows,” said Hopkins. “With this weather, we have some icy patches on the road, and with this frost, the roads are a little slippery.”
Drivers could be ticketed for driving with obscured vision. The ticket carries a penalty of $57.
“There is no reason for it. It takes just a few seconds. I could understand if it was a matter of life and death and you cleared off what had to see to go to some place; then we may have to make exceptions to it, but I haven’t heard anything of life and death situations. I was amazed this morning - I saw a guy with half to two-thirds of his window scraped, and the passenger side wasn’t. He was able to look out at what was in front of him, but other than that, the rest wasn’t scraped.”
Hopkins said the RCMP will be on the lookout for drivers whose vision is obscured.
