HENRY COUNTY, Va. (Romero Report) — Summer is in full swing, people are mowing their lawns, and that one person is leaving grass clippings in the road.

This raises concerns as grass clippings on roadways can create slick surfaces hazardous to motorcyclists and can cause sewage and drainage problems.

Leaving grass clippings on roads is not technically illegal in Henry County, local officials have confirmed.

According to the Code of Virginia 18.2-324, no person shall “throw or deposit or cause to be deposited upon any highway any soil, sand, mud, gravel or other substances so as to create a hazard to the traveling public.”

While this statute prohibits depositing hazardous materials on highways, it does not specifically address grass clippings.

County officials noted that the code has generally been interpreted to prohibit it and grass is usually seen as a ‘substance’ that can create a hazard to the traveling public.

Each municipality has the discretion to implement their own regulations regarding grass clippings on roadways.

Therefore, while not currently illegal in Henry County, residents are advised to be mindful of the potential hazards posed by not simply cleaning up after doing some yard work.

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