The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is increasing its monitoring of KY 81 and KY 56 for violations specifically related to littering and escaping contents. The move comes in response to several complaints made to DCSO and Fiscal Court from residents and motorists.
Sheriff Brad Youngman and members of Fiscal Court said they want motorists to be aware of the laws prior to having an issue and potentially receiving a citation.
“The goal is to keep our county clean and beautiful and keep our roads safe,” said West County Commissioner Chris Castlen. “I have received numerous calls from property owners about litter and debris that falls from vehicles and clogs their storm water ditches, fields, and yards. One driver even reported being behind a truck and a large section of drywall fell from a trailer and almost hit his vehicle.”
Youngman said DCSO patrol deputies already conduct traffic enforcement during each shift looking for violations such as speeding, seatbelt use, expired registration, and driving under the influence. But due to the complaints, deputies will begin dedicating more time to identifying and citing those responsible for polluting the yards and fields along these highways.
“People need to know that it is their responsibility to ensure that whatever they are transporting stays in their vehicle or trailer until they can dispose of it properly,” Youngman said.
Youngman said part of this effort is educating people who use the landfill about the rules. For instance, anyone transporting waste to the landfill must cover their load with a tarp or other covering, or there will be additional fees applied to the customer at the landfill. For additional information on use of the landfill, click here.
While motorists are always subject to these laws throughout Daviess County, Youngman said deputies will be specifically monitoring Highways 81 and 56 for violations of the below-listed laws:
189.150 Escaping contents –Shifting or spilling loads.
(1) No vehicle shall be operated upon any highway unless it is so constructed as to prevent its contents from escaping.
(2) No vehicle shall be operated upon any public highway for a distance of over one (1) mile whose load is susceptible to shifting or spillage unless said load is covered with a device suitable for prevention of spillage.
512.070 Criminal littering. — Local governments may classify criminal littering as civil offenses.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal littering when he:
(a) Drops or permits to drop on a highway any destructive or injurious material and does not immediately remove it; or
(b) Knowingly places or throws litter on any public or private property or in any public or private water without permission; or
(c) Negligently places or throws glass or other dangerous pointed or edged substances on or adjacent to water to which the public has access for swimming or wading or on or within fifty (50) feet of a public highway; or
(d) Discharges sewage, minerals, oil products, or litter into any public waters or lakes within the state.
433.753 Criminal littering on public highway — Rewards for information.
(1) When any paper, waste material, litter, or other refuse is thrown or dropped from a motor vehicle, the operator thereof shall be deemed prima facie to be guilty of criminal littering.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Department of Kentucky State Police, county sheriffs and police officers, solid waste coordinators appointed by a county or waste management district, city police officers, and all other law enforcement and peace officers within their respective jurisdictions, to enforce the criminal littering laws and the provisions of KRS 224.40-100.
(3) Any city or county may offer and pay rewards for the giving of information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person, firm, or corporation for commission of the offense of criminal littering.
