Ever clear a public intersection with your tractor?

[KennyG]

Last year after a really bad storm I cleared my drive and then saw one neighbor (that I know pretty well) trying to clear out the fire hydrant, so I went over and cleared it with the loader. Then I saw another neighbor (that I don't really know) struggling with a shovel on his drive. I asked if he needed help and he kind of said yes, so I cleared the drive in 10 minutes or so. After I left I realized he was very reserved about it because he figured I was going to charge him. People just don't expect neighborly behavior these days.

 

[CobyRupert]

Claiming people would sue because the intersection WAS cleared of snow is absurd.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

When we lived in town a number of years ago I would plow the sidewalk down the entire block with my quad. Most of the home owners were retirees and appreciated it. I also plowed the neighbors drive because he was deployed in Iraq and it was the least I could do to help his wife. I never even considered the liability, I just did it because that is what good neighbors do. Plus it was a lot of fun since the quad was new

 

[MikePA]

In Maine it's against the law to plow a public road unless contracted to do so. Don't know about your area. Might be something to check.

To me, common sense says it's the right thing to do. But I'd bet you open yourself up to other risks these days. I know last year the news here reported a guy got ticketed for clearing a residential street. It was days after a storm, and the city had never plowed the street. People couldn't get out of the neighborhood. So a guy drops his plow as he drives through to partially open the street and the police ticketed him.

I pretty much agree with others. We have laws to about plowing public roads if not contracted to do so. Not sure why? I assume liability. If I hit a car, mailbox, make a pothole, etc. The blame game can start and people calling to complain to state/local people that may not have been responsible.

Youd be 100% liable if any accident occures. Once you enter and work on public property you have to have commercial coverage

Claiming people would sue because the intersection WAS cleared of snow is absurd.

No one said people would sue. Some people thought you might be liable or be breaking the law.

 

[aczlan]

Claiming people would sue because the intersection WAS cleared of snow is absurd.

They might sue because it wasn't cleared to town specs and they skidded on the spot you missed (or that the town would have salted had they cleared it).

Aaron Z

 

[buckeyefarmer]

This week is 5 yrs since we got 20+" snow. I helped clear out a few driveways, and probably some of the road also. Another neighbor and I both worked on clearing out one of our neighbors long driveway, who's husband was deployed in Afghanistan. This convinced me to get a cab tractor.

 

[Buppies]

People in our area plow the state roads especially if it is a large snow before they( the state) ever get here. Primarily farmers needing to get to their cattle or for the widow who needs to get out. I suppose I live in an area that time forgot

 

[CobyRupert]

No one said people would sue. Some people thought you might be liable or be breaking the law.

Found liable where? By whom? Found liable so they can give him a trophy? Probably not. The implication is clear people are talking about getting sued.
Any examples of someone getting sued because a road is CLEAR of snow in a storm?
-crickets-

 

[dave1949]

The town plow crews keep after the snow pretty decently around here. Snowy roads are just a normal part of living here. Most people understand demanding perfectly clean roads in winter means paying more property taxes; our small town budgets are very transparent.

People do have a responsibility to prepare themselves for what comes every winter by selecting the right vehicles and equipping them as needed. That is part of the deal too.

 

[Garandman]

When we lived in town a number of years ago I would plow the sidewalk down the entire block with my quad. Most of the home owners were retirees and appreciated it. I also plowed the neighbors drive because he was deployed in Iraq and it was the least I could do to help his wife. I never even considered the liability, I just did it because that is what good neighbors do. Plus it was a lot of fun since the quad was new

We have half a dozen people with snow throwers in our neighborhood in Boston, and each of us does a little extra. As a result we had both sidewalks cleared before the last storm finished.

In our old neighborhood a Boston Inspectional Services car stopped me while I was blowing snow to make sure I didn't blow any in the street. I was tempted to say "Have you lost your ******* mind?" But instead I started pointing out the handicap ramps the city contractors had plowed piles onto, drains they'd covered, etc, etc then asked their names - and they couldn't get away fast enough.