Snowplow drivers with the Idaho Transportation Department clear about 13,000 lane miles of highways across the state. Plowing snowy and icy roads is a difficult job, but one of the biggest dangers is other drivers. If you’ve never encountered a plow on the roads before, here are a few tips to keep you and the plow driver safe.
Snowplows take up an entire lane. The front plow is 12 feet wide, and the wing plow is 10 feet wide.
Plows are big vehicles with large blind spots, so give them lots of room to work…
Seriously, lots of room to work.
So, don’t crowd the plow, and don’t tailgate because there is a salt spreader in the back.
Watch out for the wing on the right side of the plow. Do not
try to pass a plow on the right side. Two things can happen if you pass on the
right; either you hit the wing plow, or fast-moving snow from the front plow will
push your car sideways, causing a spin out.
Remember, when the roads are snowy, the safest place to be
is behind the plow.
