PSA: Please Don’t Shovel the Snow into the Street
Feb 6th, 2010 by Alex
It’s just snowed. Maybe still snowing. You’re about to shovel your driveway. But where to put all of it?
Maybe you have room to shovel it to the side of the driveway. Super. Maybe you’re going to pile it into the bed of your truck. Great. Maybe you’re going to say “to hell with county ordinance” and shovel it onto the sidewalk. Works for me. Maybe you’re going to dump it on top of the bushes, which you suspect are dead already. Okay, though I feel for the bushes. Maybe it’ll be a combination of all three. But whatever you’re thinking, here’s the really important part…
Do not shovel it into the street.
Don’t even think about it, especially if there’s more than an inch on the ground. I know you’re thinking that the snow plow will just push it all away when it comes by, but that’s not how it ends up working.
Despite their magical presence and ability to clear large swaths of ice and snow from the pavement, snow plows don’t fare too well against large piles of snow in the middle of the road. Most drivers won’t even attempt it if they don’t think they’ll be able to clear at least part of the street. If you and your friends have created a maze of seven foot snow piles on opposing sides of the street, realize that you’re responsible for your street not being plowed. The driver isn’t going to attempt to navigate a slalom course. If there isn’t a straight shot, it isn’t going to happen; why do you think that most counties and HOAs recommend that cars park on one side of the road during winter months?
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that your driveway is clear by noon, but now you’ve got nowhere to go. And neither do your neighbors up the street. Perhaps for days, until the removal contractors can get the Bobcat teams dispatched.
Next time (and every time), please refrain from shoveling the snow from your driveway into the street. A plow might be able to do something. Your neighbors will appreciate it.
Note: This public service announcement has been brought to you by choice neighbors who unknowingly screw over their fellow neighbors every snowfall with their idiocy.
While this may be true in the suburbs and exurbs, this piece of advice is most certainly not true in the city.
Don’t forget to dig out your local fire hydrant as well.
JJT: The same physics applies, but I think it’s a question of limits. Depending on the square footage of what you’re supposed to be clearing, you might not be able to put enough out into the street to stop a plow.
j2brown: Now that I’m thinking about it, I think the front end loader buried it. Will try to go dig it out tomorrow.