Riders should add grass clippings to their list of road hazards and stay alert, take avoidance action and consider reporting the hazard to authorities.

Grass clippings can not only be a slip hazard for motorcyclists, especially if they get wet, but also the dry grass can blow up into a rider’s eyes, blinding them.

As the United States celebrates May as Motorcycle Awarensss Month, American rider groups are alerting other riders and authorities to the dangers of clippings on the road.

In fact, some states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania are now considering making it illegal to blow lawn clippings on to a road.

Grass clippings illegal

However, it’s already illegal in Australia to dump any substance on a road that could cause injury or damage. Fines range up to more than $4000 and/or six months in jail.

Yet we continue to see clippings left on the road by lazy and negligent slashing contractors and farmers, or deliberately blown on to the road by ignorant homeowners.

Contractors and council workers cutting grass on roadsides and median strips are obliged to put out appropriate warning signs.

Riders should slow down and be alert if they see these signs, mowing or slashing equipment on the roadside, or other hints that grass has recently been cut.

They should also do their best to alert other riders either by waving to slow down or maybe posting a photo on social media.

Report hazards

Riders should also report road hazards such as grass clippings to road authorities.

Grass clippings are considered as much a road hazard by authorities as gravel, sand, oil or other substances.

You can report hazards on local roads to the relevant local council.

If the hazard is on a state road, report it to the state authorities:

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com