The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM), and the Washtenaw County Road Commission urge motorists to drive safely around snow removal equipment and remember, “Snowplows Need Room to Groom.”
“The Washtenaw County Road Commission needs your help to keep roads safe this winter,” said Jim Harmon, director of operations in a press release.
“Our crews are first responders to hazardous road conditions,” he said, adding, “They put their lives on the line every day to keep the roads in Washtenaw County safe for public travel. Motorists must play their part by driving safely no matter how often roads are plowed or salted and by giving snowplow operators room to do their jobs.”
A steady decrease in road funding and an increase in costs have forced state and local agencies to alter their winter maintenance plans and change plowing priorities. However, one important fact has not changed: road crews must have ample room in order to safely clear the many miles of roadway of snow and ice.
“Motorists must do their best to minimize distractions and focus on changes in road conditions,” Harmon said. “Every year, despite the flashing lights on snowplow trucks, poor driver behavior near snowplows leads to collisions that can be deadly.”
The Road Commission joins MDOT and CRAM in offering the following reminders for motorists:
- Snowplows have limited visibility and drivers cannot see directly behind their trucks.
- Snowplows often throw up snow clouds, reducing visibility on all sides of the truck.
- Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Motorists should not text or talk on cell phones while they are behind the wheel.
- Texting while driving is illegal in Michigan;
- Motorists should never attempt to pass a moving snowplow on the right. With new patrol wing technology, the blade can clear the shoulder and the lane of travel simultaneously.
- Motorists attempting an illegal pass through a snow cloud on the right and/or shoulder of the road most likely won’t see the plow blade and run the risk of a serious crash; and
- Always wear your seat belts and allow extra time to reach your destinations this winter.
“Road crews are ready to respond in winter weather conditions,” Harmon said, adding, “If motorists do their part and use extreme caution when driving near snowplows, it will improve safety for everyone involved.”
