OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – It is illegal under Michigan law to shovel or plow snow onto a road or highway in a way that blocks traffic or drivers' line of sight, the Road Commission for Oakland County wants to remind residents.
That includes shoveling or plowing snow, or ice, onto a road shoulder.
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"Unfortunately, we have had problems in some areas lately, when business owners and residents have plowed their driveways or parking lots by pushing the snow out into the road," said RCOC Highway Maintenance Director Darryl Heid in a news release. "This creates a safety problem for motorists and creates additional work for the Road Commission, which, in some cases, has to re-plow the road. That can mean it will take us longer to get to other roads and into subdivisions."
Pushing snow from a driveway or parking lot onto a road or depositing snow in a way that blocks a drivers’ “safety vision” is specifically prohibited in section 257.677(a) of the Michigan Vehicle Code.
Doing so is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 and/or a jail sentence of up to 90 days.
Here's the Michigan Vehicle Code language:
257.677a Obstruction of safety vision by removal or deposit of snow, ice, or slush prohibited.
Sec. 677a.
(a) “Person” shall not include the state or a political subdivision of the state or an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state operating within the scope of his duties.
(b) “Safety vision” means an unobstructed line of sight enabling a driver to travel upon, enter, or exit a roadway in a safe manner.
(2) A person shall not remove, or cause to be removed, snow, ice, or slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle other than off-road vehicles.
(3) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, ice, or slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.
(4) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, ice or slush on any roadway or highway.