Even though winter is taking a brief respite in the area, there’s little doubt that significant snow will soon return. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is cautioning residents and snow removal contractors that it is against the law to plow snow into public streets or roadways.
Section 1219 of the state Vehicle and Traffic Law specifically prohibits placing glass or other injurious substances in the highway. Subdivisions of that section include snow as an injurious substance.
If you are pushing snow out of a driveway and across a public street or roadway, subdivision B of that same section requires you to remove all the snow from that roadway immediately.
The sheriff’s office, in cooperation with all county fire departments, also encourages all residents of the county to adopt a fire hydrant.
Each time you’re removing snow from your driveway or sidewalk, take a few minutes to also clear away the snow from the nearest fire hydrant.
When a fire strikes, time is precious. By shoveling out that hydrant, you provide a valuable and necessary service to your fire department, your community, your neighborhood and possibly yourself, the sheriff’s office said.
