In Rhode Island, a driver stirred outrage by driving an SUV completely blanketed in snow, just a day after a historic winter storm caused chaos throughout the Northeast. A video that went viral showed this snow-laden vehicle navigating icy and slushy roads on Tuesday, with the driver relying on barely open windows for a view. This incident came shortly after a travel ban was lifted.
Governor Dan McKee had placed restrictions on all commercial vehicles as Winter Storm Hernando dumped up to 30 inches of snow in parts of the state. He lifted these restrictions two days later but cautioned everyone to proceed with “extreme caution” if they had to travel.
While the individual driving the SUV seemed to have some visibility, officials warned of the dangers posed by driving on roads that hadn’t been adequately cleared of snow. A message on social media urged, “The travel ban has been lifted, but if your car looks like this, please don’t drive it. It’s crucial to clean off all snow and ice before hitting the road.”
The post garnered nearly 5 million views, igniting a wave of criticism from local residents. Many expressed their concerns over the driver’s negligence, noting that no other vehicles in similar situations were on the road. One comment reflected a common sentiment: “I hope they got stuck and had to straighten things out.” Others pointed out the lack of common sense in such actions, highlighting the need for safer driving practices.
Driving in such conditions can lead to serious violations under Rhode Island law, which mandates that drivers must not only clear a peephole but also ensure their vehicles are free of snow and ice before driving.
The storm itself was unprecedented, burying many communities under 30 to 37 inches of snow, with a shocking 35.5 inches falling in just one day. In fact, the Warwick airport recorded a staggering 37.9 inches, breaking a 121-year-old snowfall record.
This blizzard created hazardous driving conditions, with state police reporting close to 300 spinouts on highways during the travel ban. Major Eric Yanyar of the Rhode Island State Police shared figures indicating that officers dealt with numerous impaired vehicles, along with several crashes and tickets issued for violating the travel ban.
