Winter road hazards that can result in fines

Snowfalls on the country«s streets not only hinder comfortable driving but also significantly increase the risk of receiving fines for violations that might go unnoticed. Lawyer Alexander Shimansky discussed what »winter traps« exist on the roads.

The main problem is poor visibility of road markings and signs. This leads to several typical violations:

Driving onto «waffle» markings and stop lines. Cameras record only the vehicle«s position, without considering whether the marking is visible. Such a fine can be contested if it»s proven that the line was hidden and the encroachment was minor.

Entering a public transport lane. In snowy weather, it«s better to rely on duplicate signs 5.14.1 rather than the markings, as dedicated lanes are usually slightly wider.

Parking on a lawn hidden under snow. Courts rarely accept winter conditions as mitigating circumstances. The boundaries of the lawn can be checked using summer panoramas on maps.

Due to snowdrifts, sidewalks narrow, and any improper parking hinders pedestrians more. A fine can be issued even if the wheels are on the roadway, but the trunk or hood overhangs the sidewalk. Activists often record such violations through mobile applications, the lawyer noted in a conversation with Prime.

Also, drivers need to monitor the cleanliness of their car:

Dirty license plates. A fine is possible even if the plate gets covered in snow while driving. The driver is responsible for keeping it readable.

Snow on the roof. If a «cap» of snow flies off and damages another car, the fault lies with the owner of the uncleaned vehicle.

Faulty wipers and washer. Frozen fluid in the reservoir or a broken windshield wiper is grounds for a fine. Moreover, an inspector may prohibit further travel.

The expert also recommended not knocking snow and ice off the car onto the roadway. This could be considered creating an obstruction to traffic.

Problems can arise not only on roads but also in courtyards. Warming up the car for more than five minutes is prohibited, and a neighbor«s complaint with video can be grounds for a fine. Additionally, a car parked in violation and blocking snow removal equipment may be towed.