By Illinois Radio Network
SANGAMON COUNTY – An Illinois motorcycle group and a county sheriff have joined together on the “Green Ice Initiative” to spread the word about the dangers of grass clippings on roadways.
A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education of Illinois, or A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, and Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell are working together to keep the streets safer. Dumping grass clippings on the road, they said, not only clogs storm sewers, it presents real dangers to motorcyclists and bicyclists. It is also illegal.
Josh Witkowski, the state legislative coordinator for A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, said that the problem is often worse in rural areas, where grass can reach 2 or 3 feet before someone cuts it. The clippings then blow onto the roadway, sometimes 2 inches deep.
“That’s not going to decompose in a hurry,” Witkowski said. “Typically it can stay out there a good two or three days before the wind can eventually take it and move it off the roadway. “Where it’s especially hazardous is in areas where you have hills, because you can be coming up over a hill on a bright sunny day, perfect pavement, and the downside of the hill is coated in grass. And I say that one, from experience, that it’s happened to me.”
Witkowski said he was aware of at least two fatalities, one in Kentucky and one in Illinois, where grass on the road was a factor.
As with so many other safety issues, Witkowski said it will take both education and law enforcement to create change. Dumping is a violation of the state’s litter law.
“One thing we always do advise is if you can – the person is still out there – try to have a conversation with someone, just nicely. You know, not confrontational, but try to explain the position,” he said. “But some people just don’t care, and when it’s that kind of thing, yeah, it needs to be reported. That’s a violation of our law.”
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