MnDOT Reminds Residents its Illegal to Push Now into Public Streets and Highways

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – As we prepare for another round of snow, MnDOT is reminding property owners it’s illegal to push snow from their driveway onto a public street or highway including ditches and the right-of-way or shoulders.

The agency’s Pippi Mayfield says, “Several state highways that run right through the center of towns in our districts. And trying to pull out of a business, if there’s walls of snow and you can’t see around, you’re pulling onto a highway which is usually busy and could cause accidents.”

Violations are misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if snow piles contribute to a crash. That civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who pushed snow into the roadway.