Sterlington police in Louisiana announced on 25/1 that anyone driving a non-4-wheel drive vehicle and obstructing traffic would be fined. This decision came as utility workers and rescuers were unable to assist individuals due to stalled vehicles blocking the road.
A video posted by the Sterlington Police Department on its Facebook account showed a man pushing a stalled vehicle, with a long line of automobiles behind him. Snow covered the road.
However, not all residents in the community of around 2,000 people agreed with this warning. Some commented on social media, criticizing the authorities.
Despite the fierce backlash, the police stood their ground and criticized the "ridiculous lack of understanding" of those complaining, even sarcastically referring to "Google lawyers".
In reality, in Sterlington, at the peak of the snowfall when police issued the warning, the accumulation measured only about 66 mm.
Louisiana is a southern US state with a subtropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters. In winter, daily low temperatures typically hover around 5 degrees C and can drop to about -4 degrees C. During the most severe cold spells, temperatures can fall to -5 degrees C or even lower, as happened last week, with forecasts showing nighttime temperatures could reach -12 degrees C.
By My Anh (according to KNOE-TV)
