Maine § 3651. - Failure to provide safety and convenience
Full text of Maine Maine Revised Statutes § 3651. — Failure to provide safety and convenience, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 3651.. Failure to provide safety and convenience
Highways, town ways and streets legally established must be opened and kept in repair so as to be safe and convenient for travelers with motor vehicles based on existing roadway surface and the season of the year. A municipal officer or county commissioner responsible for maintenance and repair of a town way must be notified by a resident in writing of which way is not safe and convenient. Once notified, the municipal officer or county commissioner may evaluate the risk to travelers based on existing roadway surface and the season of the year and recommend a reasonably achievable repair. If a municipal officer or county commissioner unreasonably neglects to repair the defective town way in a reasonable amount of time after receiving notice, a person who receives bodily injury or suffers damage to the person's property through any defect or want of repair on any town way may recover for the same in a civil action pursuant to section 3655. [PL 2025, c. 395, §1 (AMD).]
1. Legal objects not defects. Trees, structures, utility poles and facilities and other things that exist in accordance with municipal ordinances are not defects in a public way. For the purposes of this subsection, "facilities" has the same meaning as in Title 35‑A, section 2502, subsection 3.
Source: official Maine text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine § 3651.
What does Maine Revised Statutes § 3651. cover?
Section 3651. ("Failure to provide safety and convenience") is part of the Maine Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Maine. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Maine § 3651.?
A common citation format is "Maine Revised Statutes § 3651." (Maine). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Maine law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maine official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maine attorney.
How does Maine § 3651. apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maine can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maine.