With winter weather setting in, troopers from the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post are reminding citizens, in a news release, of several laws regarding removal of snow —

— A person shall not remove or deposit, or cause to be removed or deposited, snow, ice or slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a manner that obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.

— A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, ice or slush on any roadway or highway. This would include the right of way, shoulders, and ditches. The standard right of way for most roads is 33 feet from the center line. In general, it is unlawful to push snow into or across a roadway, and snow must be removed from your vehicle prior to operating on a roadway.

— A person shall not operate a commercial snow removal vehicle to remove snow or ice on a public street or highway or in a parking lot accessible for use by the public unless the vehicle is operated with at least one flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow or amber light that is clearly visible in a 360-degree arc from 500 feet when in use. A person who owns or leases a commercial snow removal vehicle shall not knowingly allow a person to operate that vehicle. “Commercial snow removal vehicle” means a vehicle equipped with a plow or other device that is used to remove snow or ice for payment or other remuneration. This section does not apply to a property owner plowing their private driveway.

Flashing, rotating, or oscillating green lights, placed in a position as to be visible throughout an arc of 360 degrees, shall only be used by a state, county, or municipal vehicle engaged in the removal of ice, snow, or other material from the highway and in other operations designed to control ice and snow, or engaged in other non-winter operations.

The above-mentioned laws are misdemeanor offenses.

— A person may operate or move a truck to which a snowplow blade that is wider than 96 inches but no more than 132 inches wide is mounted without obtaining a special permit for an excessively wide vehicle.

A person operating a truck described in this section shall minimize the over width condition of the snowplow blade when not engaged in snow removal by angling the plow blade. This section applies to snowplows with blade extensions. The blades need to be retracted or angled to follow the width guidelines while traveling on the roadway. This is a civil infraction offense.

James Harris, managing director of the Dickinson County Road Commission, stressed these laws as well, stating, “I have received several reports from our drivers. Once the snow that is pushed up freezes in place, our trucks could be damaged and/or potentially lose traction upon impact.”

So do the road crews a favor and don’t make their work more difficult — follow the laws on snow removal.