WILLMAR -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding people, including commercial snow removal operators, that it is against state law to deposit snow, in any fashion, onto a public roadway.
Minnesota Statute 160.27 and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots onto public roadways. This can include the ditch and right-of-way area in certain situations.
Violations are a misdemeanor and civil penalties can also apply if the placement of the snow creates a hazard such as a slippery area or frozen rut or bump, which contributes, to a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person or company who placed the snow improperly.
Other hazards created by improper placement of snow on or near a public roadway include: drifting, sight obstructions, drainage problems, and adequate accessibility. For safety reasons, special attention should be made to keep sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, driveway openings, and other access areas clear and unobstructed.
