Onset of winter in Donau-Ries: Who has to clear and sprinkle now!

Onset of winter in Donau-Ries: Who has to clear and sprinkle now!

Winter has arrived in the Donau-Ries district and is causing slippery roads and an increased risk of slipping. Numerous accidents that occurred yesterday, Monday, are a clear sign that winter conditions need to be taken seriously. This year, the local construction yards are responsible for winter maintenance on the district roads. They start their work at 3:30 a.m. and finish at 9 p.m., although the times can be flexibly adjusted depending on the weather. In concrete terms, this means that the roads are cleared of snow in a timely manner to ensure the safety of road users, reports Augsburger Allgemeine.

But winter maintenance on district roads is not the only responsibility of the construction yards. The municipalities themselves are required to clear the streets within their boundaries. It is particularly important that the sidewalks and cycle paths are kept in order by the citizens themselves. The statutes of the cities and municipalities stipulate that residents are responsible for snow removal, so that work must be done from 7 a.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Particular caution is required as evacuation should be completed by 8 p.m. if snowfall continues during the day to avoid accidents.

Obligation to clear and scatter

There are clear guidelines for citizens as to where the clearance must take place: responsibility lies between the property line and the street property, and corner properties must keep all areas adjacent to public streets clear. Snow is in demand as an environmental representative because common sense tells us: Snow should not block sidewalks, cycle paths or roads.

To combat slippery roads, communities rely on brine, an environmentally friendly salt-water mixture that reduces the consumption of grit. Alternatively, citizens can use blunting materials such as sand or grit to combat black ice. Caustic agents, on the other hand, are taboo. Road salt can be used in particularly slippery areas, such as stairs or slopes, although normal table salt is only permitted in exceptional situations as it is harmful to the environment. The following applies here: it is better to use gravel with a fine grade.

A look beyond winter service

In another corner of the digital world, Amazon Freevee has positioned itself as a streaming service. Originally launched in 2019 as IMDb TV, the service changed face in April 2022 and has since expanded into several countries, including Germany. The service is available via Amazon and IMDb websites, as well as on Amazon Fire devices, and offers a variety of content. There are even plans to expand original programming by up to 70 percent by the end of the year. However, on September 3, 2025, the decision was made to wind down the Freevee apps, which will certainly give some fans pause in the coming months. Amazon's focus is increasingly shifting to the premium offering of its Prime Video service, with Freevee's content to be integrated into the free advertising area, such as the Wikipedia reported.

Whether winter roads or digital entertainment, the issues that concern our region and us are diverse and require constant attention. So stay alert on the road while enjoying today's digital offerings!