Penalty for obstruction of a driver’s view reduced to traffic infraction

Placing or hanging objects in a vehicle that obstruct or interfere with the view of the operator is a lesser offense under a bill passed by the Legislature May 5.

Operating a vehicle with such objects previously had been considered a Class V misdemeanor, which calls for a maximum fine of $100.

LB500, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, downgrades the violation to a traffic infraction and restricts it to objects that “significantly and materially” obstruct or interfere with the view of a driver. Violators will be charged one point on their driving records and fined $50 for first offenses, $100 for second offenses and $150 for subsequent offenses.

The bill also makes enforcement of the law a secondary action, meaning the driver must first be cited or charged with some other violation.

Lawmakers voted 46-0 on final reading to approve LB500.