AAA East Central reminds motorists that hanging items from a rearview mirror, including protective masks, is a safety hazard.

With varying requirements about masks/facial coverings in place, many motorists are keeping masks in their cars, and many are hanging them from their rearview mirrors as a way to keep them handy.

This has the potential to partially block their field of vision, putting them and others in harm’s way.

“It is essential to have a completely clear field of vision while driving,” AAA East Central Legislative Director Theresa Podguski said. “Motorists should keep their masks in their glove boxes, middle consoles, or back seats to avoid this preventable hazard.”

In Pennsylvania, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with anything hanging from the rearview mirror.

Moreover, in a typical city, a motorist encounters as many as 200 different situations per mile.

The eyes provide nearly all of the information needed to respond to road conditions, traffic patterns, signals, and signs.

Obstructing this field of vision, even partially, can cause you to miss things that should be seen, such as signs, pedestrians, wildlife, motorcycles, bikes, or other vehicles.

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Editor’s note: AAA East Central is a nonprofit association with 76 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.