Speeding in a Snowstorm: Will the Weather Help or Hurt Your Case?

Speeding tickets issued during adverse weather conditions, such as snowstorms, often come with a unique set of questions. It’s easy to assume that a snowstorm could impact the way your case is viewed by a judge or police officer, but the reality is much more nuanced.

In general, the weather doesn’t absolve drivers from responsibility. While snow, ice, or fog can reduce visibility and road traction, traffic laws still apply. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions, and the law expects that you adjust your speed according to the weather conditions. So, even in a snowstorm, you are expected to drive at a speed that is safe for the circumstances.

While this might seem harsh, the law typically focuses on whether you exercised reasonable caution in adjusting your speed to the conditions. If you were driving too fast given the snowstorm and it led to a ticket, it’s important to understand how this situation might play out in court.

Understanding the Principle of Reasonable Care

One of the central ideas in any speeding case, especially during challenging weather conditions, is the principle of reasonable care. This concept refers to the responsibility of the driver to exercise caution in order to avoid accidents.

When driving in a snowstorm, courts will generally expect you to adjust your driving behavior to avoid accidents. Even if no accidents occur, speeding too fast for the conditions can still lead to a ticket. The key question a court will ask is whether the speed at which you were driving was reasonable given the reduced visibility, icy roads, and the need to maintain control of your vehicle.

Reasonable care applies to more than just speed. Courts also evaluate other aspects of driving, such as braking, steering, and how well you maintain control of your vehicle. If you were driving too fast for the weather conditions, but you still acted cautiously in other aspects (like slowing down for turns or maintaining a safe distance from other cars), that may help your case.

Weather Conditions and Speed Limits

In most places, speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. However, these limits aren’t absolutes. They are not an excuse for speeding, and they don’t necessarily guarantee safety during inclement weather.

For example, driving during a snowstorm on a highway with a speed limit of 65 mph is not the same as driving at that speed in clear weather. During bad weather, such as snow, sleet, or freezing rain, the law expects you to slow down to a speed that accommodates the conditions.

If you were speeding in a snowstorm, you could be found guilty of violating traffic laws, even if the snowstorm itself was the cause of your driving fast. This is because driving at high speeds during poor weather conditions is considered reckless or negligent in most cases.

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How Courts View Speeding During Snowstorms

While speeding in a snowstorm can often be viewed as careless or reckless, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have no defenses available. Whether or not the weather will hurt your case depends on various factors, such as how severe the storm was, your driving behavior, and whether you took reasonable steps to adapt to the conditions.

In most cases, driving too fast in a snowstorm is a violation of traffic laws. However, there are certain circumstances where the weather conditions could be considered mitigating factors in your defense. For example, if the snowstorm was sudden and unexpected, and you didn’t have time to adjust your speed appropriately, the court might be more lenient.

However, if the weather conditions were well-known and ongoing, it will be much harder to argue that you didn’t know how dangerous it was to drive too fast. The court will likely expect that you adjust your speed, no matter how challenging the road conditions.

Possible Defenses for Speeding in a Snowstorm

In certain cases, there may be viable defenses to speeding during a snowstorm. The following are some common defenses drivers might use in court:

1. Emergency Situations
   If you were speeding because you had to avoid an accident, the emergency doctrine might apply. This doctrine allows for certain exceptions to traffic laws in the case of an immediate emergency. However, you must demonstrate that the emergency situation was urgent and that speeding was the only reasonable option to avoid harm.
2. Mechanical Failures
   In some cases, speeding during a snowstorm could be due to a mechanical failure, such as brake failure. If this was the case, and it was an unavoidable mechanical failure, you might be able to argue that the speeding was not intentional. This defense will likely require detailed evidence, including any documentation related to the mechanical issue.
3. Lack of Proper Signage
   Another possible defense involves inadequate or unclear signage regarding hazardous weather conditions. If there were no warnings or insufficient signage to indicate dangerous road conditions, you might be able to argue that you were not adequately informed about the risks.
4. Road Conditions
   If the snowstorm was so severe that it made it unsafe for any driver to travel at the speed limit, there could be grounds for challenging the ticket. However, this will be difficult to prove unless the road was officially closed or conditions were deemed hazardous by local authorities.

The Importance of Adjusting Your Speed in Snowstorms

When faced with a snowstorm, it is important to adjust your speed and driving behavior to match the road conditions. This adjustment isn’t just about avoiding a speeding ticket—it’s about safety. Snow and ice can make roads slick and dangerous, and speed limits don’t account for the real-world difficulty of driving in a snowstorm.

Here are some tips for driving safely during a snowstorm:

• Slow Down: Reduce your speed well below the posted limit. On icy or snow-covered roads, driving at a slower speed can give you more time to react to hazards.
• Increase Following Distance: In snowstorms, stopping distances increase, so leave extra space between you and the car ahead.
• Use Your Brakes Carefully: Abrupt braking can cause skidding on icy roads. Instead, brake gently and in advance to slow down smoothly.
• Be Prepared: Ensure your vehicle is in good condition to handle winter driving. Check tire tread, brakes, and windshield wipers regularly.

By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of getting into an accident—and improve your chances if you’re ever faced with a speeding ticket in snowy conditions.

How Weather-Related Tickets Are Handled in Court

When you receive a speeding ticket during a snowstorm, it’s important to understand that judges typically weigh several factors in deciding the case. These factors include:

• The Severity of the Weather: If the snowstorm was particularly severe and caused widespread traffic disruptions, the court may be more sympathetic. However, you must prove that the conditions were severe enough to warrant speeding.
• Your Driving History: If you have a clean driving record, the court may take that into consideration and be more lenient in your case.
• The Officer’s Perspective: The officer who issued the ticket will provide their observations. If they believed you were driving recklessly or at an unsafe speed for the conditions, it can be difficult to contest the ticket.

If you believe the ticket was unjust, you should consider challenging it in court. A skilled attorney can help present your case, including factors like weather conditions, driving behavior, and any applicable defenses.

If you’ve received a speeding ticket in a snowstorm and are unsure how to proceed, it’s best to consult with an experienced traffic attorney. An attorney specializing in traffic violations can review the details of your case, including the severity of the weather, the road conditions, and your driving behavior, to build the best possible defense.

An experienced lawyer, such as Arthur Pressman, can offer valuable guidance and help you navigate the legal process. In some cases, they may even be able to help you get the ticket reduced or dismissed.

To schedule a free consultation with Arthur Pressman, Attorney at Law, visit our website today.

To learn more about this subject click here: What to Know About Speeding Tickets

Arthur L. Pressman, Esq.

Attorney Miami School of Law, National College for DUI Defense, New York State Bar

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Arthur Pressman focuses his practice in the areas of DWI, traffic law and criminal defense. Arthur is a 1982 graduate of the State University of New York at Albany. He earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1985 and practiced with the law firm of Heller & Rubin in Miami, Florida from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, Arthur relocated to Buffalo, where he opened his own practice where he has continued to defend those accused of crimes in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York area.

Areas of Expertise: DWI Penalties, Traffic Violations, Speeding Tickets, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving Without Insurance, Reckless Driving, Traffic Tickets, Out-of-State Drivers, Criminal Defense, Probation Violation, Drug Crimes, Domestic Violence, Assault and Battery

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