Rhode Island Snow Truck Driver Sparks Widespread Outrage After Historic Blizzard
A Rhode Island driver has ignited fury among residents by operating a truck completely swathed in snow mounds, just as communities across the state worked tirelessly to dig themselves out from a historic blizzard that dumped up to three feet of snow. The incident occurred shortly after Rhode Island lifted its official travel ban at 12pm ET on Tuesday, with authorities urging extreme caution on local roads.
Illegal Snow-Covered Vehicle Captured on Camera
Local news station WPRI captured dramatic footage of the truck, covered in a massive accumulation of snow, navigating a sludgy street. While the driver had cleared a minimal view from the window, the vehicle remained heavily encased in snow on its roof, hood, trunk, and license plates. "The travel ban has lifted, but do NOT drive if your car looks like this one. It is critically important to clear your vehicle completely before hitting the road," WPRI emphasized in their report.
In Rhode Island, state law explicitly prohibits driving with any significant amount of snow or ice on a vehicle. Drivers are legally required to remove all snow and ice from the entire car, including all exterior surfaces. This regulation aims to prevent hazardous conditions where snow could dislodge and obstruct other drivers' visibility or create dangerous road debris.
Resident Reactions: Fury and Mockery
The footage provoked an immediate and intense backlash from residents, who condemned the driver for reckless behavior that endangered public safety. Social media platforms erupted with criticism, with one Facebook user remarking, "Apparently, common sense does not fall from the sky like snow does." Another added, "Somebody missed the brain train," while a third commented, "But are we surprised? Really? There is always at least one."
Further criticisms highlighted multiple safety concerns. "Not only is that dangerous, but you are wasting fuel," noted one resident. Others called for strict enforcement: "Tickets should be given out to anyone driving like this. There is no excuse." Technical dangers were also cited, with one person warning, "It is possible that it is too much weight for the suspension," and another describing it as "a traveling snow bank" that could trap the driver.
However, a minority defended the driver with humor, suggesting the person was a seasoned local doing what was necessary. "We are Rhode Islanders. We do not need to see through windshields, the windshields need to see through us," one joked. Another quipped, "The only issue I see is this person forgot to put their wiper blade down," while a third speculated, "He is transporting snow to dump somewhere."
Historic Blizzard Context and Tragic Consequences
Rhode Island endured severe impacts from the historic snowstorm, with snowfall totals ranging from 37.9 inches at T.F. Green International Airport to 17.5 inches in Lincoln. The storm's aftermath included tragic incidents, such as the death of 21-year-old Salve Regina University student Joseph Boutros in Newport, who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning after being found unconscious in a snow-covered vehicle on Monday night.
Many residents remained trapped in their homes for a third consecutive day on Wednesday as residential streets stayed unplowed. Tiverton Department of Public Works Director David Michael Silvia Jr. explained to WPRI the immense challenges faced by cleanup crews. "When we started to plow the roads, all of our vehicles began getting stuck on all the hills in Tiverton," Silvia stated. He detailed how crews spent approximately six hours during the storm's peak merely extracting DPW and emergency vehicles from snowdrifts.
Silvia acknowledged the slow progress, noting, "We have to start somewhere. We are doing roads as we speak, and we will get to everyone. But I think, unfortunately, it is going to take us two to three days to get the majority of the town open just due to the lack of equipment we have and the type of equipment we have." The incident with the snow-covered truck underscores the ongoing struggles and safety hazards persisting across Rhode Island in the blizzard's wake.
