Risk $100 Fine, Jail Time For Shoveling Snow Into Streets In Oakland County

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - The Road Commission for Oakland County has a warning for those who shovel snow into the street: Do it, and you may have to pay.

Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeill, Commission spokesman Craig Bryson says it's become a serious issue after this season's first big snow over the weekend.

"All over town, people — either private contractors, or businesses, or in some cases individuals — will shovel their parking lots, driveways, etc., and push the snow into the road," Bryson said. "At least dozens across the county; probably more than that. It could well be into hundreds once you think about the entire county."

Bryson said the fine for offenders is a $100 fine or up to 90 days in jail, under state law.

But Bryson said they're not seeking to have anyone punished. He just wants to see it stop for everyone's benefit.

"It can be a safety issue if people are driving along, don't expect to have a bump or a pile of snow in their road," Bryson said. "Secondly, if it's severe enough, we have to go back and replow that section of road; which means our trucks can't be somewhere else doing other important tasks — plowing other roads or, at this point, getting into subdivisions."

He said it's typically large residential driveways and commercial driveways/parking lots that present the biggest problem. Bryson doesn't know of anyone having faced charges over this in recent memory; but, if it's a severe enough case, the Commission will call the police.

"Our goal is not to penalize anybody," Bryson added. "We realize that everyone is just trying to get the snow out of their driveway. We just want to remind them to please don't create a safety problem or additional work for the road commission in doing so."

Meantime, Bryson said Tuesday afternoon the RCOC was about half done with plowing in the county and that crews would be working late. They're hoping to finish by up Wednesday night.