By Maire Crooks, The Current Co-Editor-in-Chief
With the temperatures dropping, cold mornings have become the norm for River Hill students. For student drivers, this means an added step in their routine: cleaning the frost off of their windshields. The problem? Many do not.
The school parking lot can be observed with a considerable amount of cars with white, icy windows. Many vehicles only have one small clearing by the driver to allow the student to get to school.
Many student drivers cited the same reason for their failure to clear their icy windshields before embarking on the roads: lack of time.
However, the supposed time-saving step is extremely dangerous, especially for new drivers. The lack of visibility greatly increases the likelihood of accidents, causing 11 states to implement laws prohibiting covered windshields. Although there is no law against snow or frost impairing visibility in Maryland, Minnesota Statute 169.71 subdivision 3, for example, states “No person shall drive any motor vehicle with the windshield or front side windows covered with steam or frost to such an extent as to prevent proper vision.”
On the upside, some students plan for the cold nights, anticipating that the moisture on the surface of the car will freeze when temperatures drop. Senior Becca Sirak claims that she “get[s] a lot of frost” on her car during low temperatures. “I would probably crash if I did not wait until [the frost] melted, so I usually try to clean off my windshield and then I drive.”
In regards to those who drive with their vision blocked, Becca says, “I hope they don’t drive near me so they don’t crash into me.”
To remove the frost, one should leave extra time to start the car and turn on the defogger, then wait for the ice to melt. Becca prefers this method, usually “just heating up my car” to allow her to drive safely.
Of course, using a tried-and-true ice scraper is a time-tested method as well. To expedite the process, a less widely accepted “hack” is to spray the windshield wiper fluid to melt the frost.
To avoid the problem completely, winter windshield covers are available for purchase. They attach around the side mirrors and completely cover the front window, allowing for quick removal in the morning and an ice-free view.
Regardless of the method, one thing can be for certain: River Hill students should make the extra effort to drive with a clear view on all sides of the car, for their and other students’ safety.