Snowbank and sidewalk safety tips

As snowbanks continue to increase in height, the Duluth Police Department has a few tips to deal with the reduced visibility at intersections.

For starters, once you come to a complete stop at a stop sign, slowly and carefully creep into the intersection to ensure other drivers see you. Use headlights, put down distractions, and watch out for pedestrians.

Another winter safety tip is to keep your sidewalk shoveled.

"I think there’s been a lack of understanding that not everybody has a car to get around,” said City of Duluth Public Information Officer Kate Van Daele. “So there’s people that rely on public transportation. Making sure that if your property abuts a curb cut or a corner that you’re making sure that you know your sightlines are down, that you’re making sure to clear the curb cut so that people can get around safely. We don’t want people to have to go through, you know, several feet of snow or to climb over snow banks to be able to get where they’re going. It’s also just a basic service that people are able to use sidewalks to go for a walk or go for a run."

In Duluth, residents are required to shovel within 24 hours of the time a round of snow stops falling. Non-compliance could result in a fine.