Basketball Hoops Pose Snowplow Hazard

While most cars are easily lower than basketball hoops – plow trucks are much higher, and the hoops are even with mirrors and cabs.

Winter is Coming. It’s nearly here.  Reviewing the townships plowing routes, we found many basketball nets protruding into the streets. For plow trucks, these small nets cause big problems because they are the same height as passenger-side mirrors. Even if the base of the basketball hoop is on the side of the road, the hoop itself remains within the right-of-way.

• Hoops break mirrors, costing Franklin Township and our Contractor time and money to repair.

• Hoops are a safety hazard because all mirrors are essential to safe operation of a plow truck. During a snowstorm. Broken mirrors lead to delayed snow plowing and removal.

• In an attempt to avoid damage, plows cannot get close to the edge of roads, sometimes staying as much as 5 feet from the curb line.

• If trucks do get too close, hoops in the right of way are likely to be severely damaged, and Franklin Township is not at fault.  The cost of all repairs will be borne by the resident who owns the basketball hoop.

Plow truck drivers take their jobs seriously, so please help them and your community by removing this hazard.

We are requesting residents pull their hoops not only off the roads (yes, some are actually on the street) but also to pull them back enough so as not to impede Snow and Ice Removal.  Bringing the hoop into private driveways for the winter is the best option.

It’s time to get ready for Winter storms and show courtesy to our neighbors. Don’t let your basketball hoop be the reason your street didn’t get adequately cleared of snow.