Warwick, Rhode Island — Just hours after a statewide travel ban was lifted following a historic blizzard, a Rhode Island driver ignited fury online after being caught on video driving an SUV nearly buried under a mountain of snow.
Footage obtained by local station shows the snow-caked vehicle traveling down an icy, slush-covered street Tuesday with only a small section of the windshield cleared for visibility. The rest of the SUV — including the roof — remained blanketed in thick, packed snow.
The video quickly went viral, drawing millions of views and widespread criticism from viewers who said the driver was putting others at risk.
Travel Ban Lifted After Historic Snowfall
The incident occurred shortly after Gov. Dan McKee lifted a travel ban that had been imposed during Winter Storm Hernando. The storm dumped staggering snowfall totals across Rhode Island, with some communities buried under 30 to 37 inches of snow.
According to the Weather Channel, 35.5 inches fell in a single day, while 37.9 inches recorded at TF Green International Airport in Warwick shattered a 121-year snowfall record, surpassing the 28.6 inches set during the Blizzard of 1978.
Even after lifting restrictions, McKee urged residents to use “extreme caution on local roads if travel is necessary.”
Viral Video Draws Widespread Criticism
In the viral clip, the SUV appears to be operating with minimal visibility, relying on a small cleared patch of windshield. Snow piled high on the roof posed a potential hazard to surrounding drivers, as chunks can dislodge and obstruct other vehicles.
A warning issued alongside the footage:
“The travel ban has lifted, but do NOT drive if your car looks like this one. It’s important to clear your vehicle completely before hitting the road.”
The social media post has since racked up nearly five million views, prompting dozens of comments condemning the driver’s actions.
One commenter wrote, “Apparently, common sense doesn’t fall from the sky like snow does.”
Another added, “Tickets should be given out to anyone driving like this. There’s no excuse.”
Potential Violation of State Law
The dangerous drive may have violated Rhode Island General Law § 31-23-16, which requires motorists to remove accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles before operating them on public roads.
The law specifically prohibits drivers from simply clearing a small viewing area, instead mandating that vehicles be fully cleared to prevent hazards to other motorists.
Snow or ice flying off a moving vehicle can shatter windshields, obstruct traffic and cause crashes.
Roads Already Strained During Storm
During the height of the blizzard, Rhode Island State Police responded to nearly 300 spinouts on highways.
Maj. Erik Yanyar told that troopers handled 269 disabled vehicles, responded to 25 crashes, and issued 40 citations for travel ban violations.
The storm left roadways treacherous for days, with plows and emergency crews working around the clock to restore safe travel conditions.
Officials continue urging drivers to clear vehicles completely before driving, not only to comply with the law but to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Have you witnessed similar dangerous driving after winter storms? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
