It Is Illegal To Shovel Snow Into The Street In New York?

Now that snow is here across New York be careful where you are putting that snow from your driveway.

If you drive anywhere in New York chances are you have seen someone doing this. They are taking their snow shovels or snowblowers and shooting the snow from their driveway into the road.

Is that legal to do in New York?

The simple answer is no. In fact, police can fine you if you are caught tossing snow into the road.

According to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 1219. The law states that:

• You can’t put snow or dangerous things like tacks, nails, glass bottles, wire, cans, or anything else that would be likely to injure a person, animal, or vehicle on the street.

• Anyone who deposits dangerous material in the street, whether or not it was intentional, must immediately take steps to remove it.

• Anyone removing a wrecked vehicle from the street must also make sure any glass or other dangerous items resulting from the damaged vehicle are removed.

   

So for example you are shoveling out your driveway and you toss the snow into the street in front of your house. A car driving down your street hits that pile of snow and fishtails and hits another car, you could be on the hook for the damages because you placed the snow in the road.

Say you park in the street, brush off your car, and leave a pile of snow where your car was, if someone slips and gets hurt you could be in trouble.

Get our free mobile app

While it is not enforced a lot, you could end up being fined $150 or spend 15 days in jail.

So when you are clearing out your driveway or sidewalk, make sure to toss the snow into your yard and not the street.