PennDOT Issues Reminder to Keep Snow off of Roadways
By: Jayne Ann Bugda
Updated: January 16, 2013
Montoursville - With the winter
season in full swing, PennDOT is reminding residents of guidelines for shoveling
or plowing snow around state-owned roadways to help ensure safe travel through
the season.
Maintaining safe and passable roads is
PennDOT's top priority when dealing with winter weather. To help meet that need,
PennDOT urges residents to not shovel snow onto state roads that have already
been plowed. Snow should not be shoveled onto any roadway as this can increase
the potential for crashes, and property owners can be held liable for any
resulting crashes.
State law requires citizens to use and
maintain their property in ways that avoid creating hazardous road conditions
for others, including not obstructing highway lanes and drainage facilities with
snow and ice. Fines can be as high as several hundred dollars.
PennDOT offers the following guidelines
for shoveling or plowing snow on property adjacent to state-owned
roadways:
- Snow should be shoveled or plowed to the right side of the driveway as you are facing the intersecting roadway (see attached diagram). By piling the snow away from the oncoming direction of the snow plows, the snow will not be pushed back onto the driveway.
- Eliminate snow piles at the property entrance whenever possible. High accumulations of snow can obstruct the vision of motorists, posing a safety hazard.
- Do not push snow onto roadways at any time. This creates a hazardous condition for all vehicles.
For more winter driving tips and
information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.dot.state.pa.us/winter.
Motorists can check road conditions on
more than 2,900 miles of state roads by calling 5-1-1 or visiting www.511PA.com.
(From PennDOT)
(From PennDOT)
