AUGUSTA, Me. – Maine will not be mirroring New Jersey with a law that requires drivers to remove snow and ice build-up from atop their vehicle roofs and trailers.

According to OOIDA, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee voted to kill a bill that required vehicles traveling in excess of 40 mph to be clear of snow or ice.

Violators would have faced first-time fines of $250.

New Jersey’s law, in effect since last fall, is much tougher. Police can fine drivers for any amount of snow on their roofs.

Connecticut will implement a similar rule in December 2013 and Pennsylvania and New York and considering similar efforts.

Maine State Police opposed the bill, saying it would create a practical problem for truckers.

Since there are so few snow-clearing facilities or equipment available, many truckers and carrier groups say the policy puts drivers in danger (and at odds with work safety rules) by forcing them to climb the height of their trailers.