History of Snow removal in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 26, 2026

Snow removal is the process of clearing snow after a snowfall to improve the safety and ease of travel. This responsibility falls on individual households, government entities, and commercial businesses. Effective snow removal is crucial for maintaining accessibility and preventing accidents during winter weather conditions, ensuring the continued functioning of daily life and commerce.

1/1943: Decree of the government of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

In 1/1943, the decree of the government of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia stated that sidewalk cleaning in residential areas was the duty of the owner or user of the contiguous land.

1961: Czechoslovak Road Act No. 135/1961 Sb.

In 1961, Czechoslovak Road Act No. 135/1961 Sb. adopted legal regulations for all municipalities, but municipality offices could modify them.

1997: New Road Act of the Czech Republic, No. 13/1997 Sb.

In 1997, the new Road Act of the Czech Republic, No. 13/1997 Sb. stated that maintenance of a road is an obligation of its owner without any exception, but attached to the owner of contiguous land the liability for harm caused by defects of cleaning.

2000: Road treatment expenditure in the Czech Republic during the winter season of 2000/2001

During the winter season of 2000/2001, the net material expenditure for road treatment in the Czech Republic included 168,000 tonnes of salt, 348,000 tonnes of sand and crushed stone, and 91,000 tonnes of other materials like slag.

2000: Chemical treatment materials used in the European Union

In 2000, 98% of chemical treatment materials used in the European Union were sodium chloride in various forms.

2001: Road treatment expenditure in the Czech Republic during the winter season of 2000/2001

2002: Czech Public Defender of Rights Annual Report

In 2002, the Czech Public Defender of Rights made a claim for there being a discrepancy between the theoretical and the practical interpretations of the act and recommended that an unequivocal formulation be enacted.

2003: Czech Public Defender of Rights Annual Report

In 2003, the Czech Public Defender of Rights made a claim for there being a discrepancy between the theoretical and the practical interpretations of the act and recommended that an unequivocal formulation be enacted.

June 2005: Supreme Administrative Court ruling

On June 27, 2005, the Supreme Administrative Court stated that the cleaning duty results indirectly from the stated liability for harm.

January 2007: Constitutional Court ruling

On January 3, 2007, the Constitutional Court stated that the cleaning duty results indirectly from the stated liability for harm.

December 2007: Senate of the Czech Republic proposal

On December 6, 2007, the Senate of the Czech Republic proposed to remove the controversial article from §27 of the Road Act of 1997. The Czech Government gave support to it by a narrow majority.

April 2009: Changes made by Act No. 97/2009 Sb.

Since April 16, 2009, the changes made by Act No. 97/2009 Sb. mandate that sidewalk cleaning is an obligation only of the owner of the walkway or road, i.e. generally the municipality.

2009: Snow transported in Helsinki during the winter of 2009-2010

During the winter of 2009-2010 in Helsinki, Finland, the amount of snow transported from streets and properties to snow dump sites was 210,000 truckloads.

2010: Snow transported in Helsinki during the winter of 2009-2010

During the winter of 2009-2010 in Helsinki, Finland, the amount of snow transported from streets and properties to snow dump sites was 210,000 truckloads, equaling over 3 million cubic meters.