Coconino County in northern Arizona has a long history as a destination for Arizonans wanting to play in the snow which has led to problems on area roads. The county Board of Supervisors voted this week to make penalties tougher.
The county has had rules in place for decades to discourage people from pulling off the highways, parking on shoulders or private lots and playing in the snow. A child was struck and killed while trying to run across Highway 180 last year where snow play is prohibited.
Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll told the board the amount of cars is only growing.
"We’ve seen an increase in parking problems, congestion, litter, trespassing, destruction of property, and even confrontations among individuals," he said.
The board voted unanimously to amend the county ordinance so that the registered owners of cars are ticketed as opposed to just leaving a citation on the windshield.
Fines are steep. Parking in areas where you’re not allowed can result in a tow and at least a $200 fine. Those start Dec. 15.
