Traffic police in the Prague recently pulled over a driver who attempted to navigate morning traffic with almost his entire windshield covered in ice. The driver had cleared only a tiny patch of glass, leaving a field of vision so restricted that officers compared it to looking out of an armored tank.
This is not an isolated case, officials say. According to senior traffic officers, the practice has become a “recurring nuisance” as temperatures across the Czech capital drop well below freezing. Police are now reminding motorists that clearing a vehicle is a legal requirement, not a suggestion.
The obligation goes beyond just the windshield. Drivers are required to remove ice and snow from the entire vehicle, including the roof and hood. “A flying piece of ice is simply something you do not want to encounter on your way to work,” police noted. As a car warms up, large sheets of ice can break loose and become dangerous projectiles for other vehicles on the road.
The risks carry immediate legal consequences. Drivers caught with obstructed views or icy roofs face on-the-spot fines of up to 1,500 CZK, with penalties reaching 5,000 CZK in administrative proceedings.
In the case of the driver stopped this week, the encounter ended with a fine and a mandatory stop while the ice thawed. While no one was injured, Lieutenant Richard Hrdina emphasized that those few minutes of work before leaving home are essential to preventing a tragedy.
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