Can You Legally Push Snow Across the Road in Maine?

If you have ever watched a plow truck or even someone shoveling push mountains of snow from a lot or neighborhood into the street and thought, “wait, can they do that?” you’re not alone.  

Recently, a Mainer recently asked that question.

Can you legally push snow into the road in Maine, according to WGME.

Well, let’s break it down: According to Maine Law, we don’t have anything that specifically states, “No pushing snow into or across the street”

But, the state does have rules in order to keep everyone travelling safe and sound.

It states as per law that it is illegal to leave snow or slush on a road where it hasn’t naturally just fallen there.

In other words, if your plow or car creates some type of hazard in the road, you could be in some trouble. But what trouble? Well, enforcement is usually taken care of by the local town.  

What Maine Law Actually Says About Pushing Snow Into the Road

As per the article, in Brunswick for example the public works always keeps an eye for those violations and will call the police if they catch you creating a hazard. Fines can apply to cases and penalties will be different depending on the town and how badly the obstacle is.  

The Maine Department of Transportation says snow removal have to prioritize safety first and always. Pushing the snow into and across the street can leave those awful ruts, slipper bits, and even completely block driving lanes.

Read More: Here's 30 Things Mainers Always Complain About During the Winter

This would create obstacles for any Maine driver to get through and we can’t have that. 

So, the next time you are out and about and you witness a plow, pushing snow directly into the street, you may want to look the other way and just assume they are allowed to do that, but they are not and you can call your city.  

So remember to keep it legal so that during these crazy snowy winter months in Maine, we can all be safe.