Use Extreme Caution When Driving Near Snowplows
Posted on January 25th, 2011 by Keri DeVrieze
With winter upon us and more areas getting hit with frigid temperatures and snow, here are a few tips for driving near snowplows. Of course we’d all like to believe that most people use common sense and takes extra precautions when driving near them, however that may not be the case. What you can do is make sure you’re doing your part to keep yourself as safe as possible.
According to PennDOT Secretary Scott Christie, P.E. “plow operators are driving a nearly 60,000-pound vehicle while controlling one, two or sometimes three plows; monitoring salt spreading; keeping an eye out for mailboxes, parked cars and other roadside obstacles and driving in near-zero visibility due to snow spray created by the plow.” He urges you to slow down, back off and give extra room to snowplow operators as their jobs are challenging enough without having to deal with impatient or unsafe motorists.
Also according to PennDOT, you should follow these guidelines as well:
- Stay Back: Stay at least six car-lengths behind an operating plow and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck – usually between 11- to 14-feet wide depending on the model of truck. Wing plows, which are located on one or both sides of the truck, are generally 10-feet wide.
- Remain Alert: Snowplows generally travel much more slowly than other traffic and may, at times, be completely obscured due to blowing snow or heavy snowfall rates. This is especially true in open areas where high winds can create zero visibility without warning.
- Move Over:Move as far away from the center line of road as safely as possible when approaching a snowplow head-on and remember that snow spray can obscure the actual snowplow width.
- Never Pass: Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train.” The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard not only for the vehicle’s operator but also the snowplow driver and other vehicles.
- Don’t Drive Beside Never travel next to a snowplow since plows can quickly move sideways when hitting drifts or cutting through heavy snow pack
- Headlights On: Keep your lights on when driving near snowplows to help the operator better see your vehicle. Under state law, headlights must be turned on every time a vehicle’s wipers are on due to inclement weather.
In addition to driving safely, as we alway say, it’s wise to pack an emergency kit, blankets, water, a hand shovel, sand and any other items that could aid you in case of seriously incliment weather.
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