How much of the car do you need to clear after snow?

The Philadelphia region and its suburbs just got blanketed with a few inches of snow.  You need to run some errands today.  Legally, how much snow do you have to remove from your car?

It's your responsibility to make sure your car is as clean and snow-free as possible before you start driving.  Snow and ice can blow off your car when traveling and either strike other cars and pedestrians or create dangerous slick spots on already-plowed roads.

If snow or ice does come off your car and someone gets hurt, the state can fine you up to $1,000.  You've also left yourself liable for a civil lawsuit if someone does get hurt because you neglected to clear your car properly.

You need to clear all of the windows completely in order to see everything that's going on around you.  Skipping the back windows or just clearing a porthole in your windshield leaves you vulnerable, because you may not see a pedestrian stepping into your path or an out-of-control Dodge Dart that can't stop at an intersection.

You need to clear your headlights, taillights and turn signals so that people can see your car better and understand what it is you're doing in traffic.  If nobody knows you're turning because you're impersonating a snowman, that's no one's fault but yours.

You need to clear the roof, trunk lid and hood.  Snow blowing off the hood onto your windshield can temporarily blind you in traffic - not a good thing.  Likewise, snow blowing off your roof and trunk can blind the guy behind you, causing him to crash into you if you need to stop suddenly.

Take a few extra moments before you get on the road today and clear the car properly.  It will make you safer in traffic and can save you a bundle in fees and fines.