Winter weather is already here. A large snowstorm on Nov. 20 and 21 dumped over a foot of snow on streets and highways in Franklin County.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that many owners of snow blowers and pickups with plows are either unaware of the Vehicle and Traffic Law that prohibits putting snow into roadways or just don’t care, assuming that they won’t be ticketed.

Article 1219 of New York State VTL prohibits plowing, shoveling or blowing snow into a street or highway. This law also covers other items likely to pose a hazard to motorists, including glass, nails, wire, cans, etc. Fines for a first offense include up to a $150 fine and/or 15 days in jail, plus applicable surcharges.

This law also stipulates that anyone that places or permits to be placed upon any highway any material which interferes with the safe use of the highway shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed. This includes snow! If you are a homeowner and you hire a person to plow your driveway, and you permit him/her to plow the snow into the road, you could be cited under this law.

Article 1220 is similar to 1219 and prohibits throwing, dumping or depositing any refuse, trash or litter on any street, road or highway, or even along the right of way or on adjacent private lands. There are exceptions in Article 1220 for ashes, sand or salt used in a reasonable manner to provide for winter traction on slippery roads. Farm implements, vehicles or machinery are also exempt from the reasonable or unavoidable deposit of nauseous or offensive matter. This means farm roads may have mud or even manure from the normal operation of adjacent farm properties.

So, even if the easiest way to rid your driveway, parking lot or sidewalk of snow is to put it into the street or road and hope the next pass of the plow will take care of it, take note of this law and find another place to put the snow.

For more articles on traffic law and safety, go to the traffic safety board’s website at www.franklincony.org or email me at dwerner151@verizon.net.