As the region experiences winter’s first doses of bad weather, PennDOT is reminding motorists to use caution when driving near snow plows and other winter maintenance equipment.
Crews will be working hard this winter to clear snow and ice from roads and highways. Motorists can help crews maintain a safe transportation system by following a few basic guidelines when sharing the road with winter maintenance equipment. A recent press release from PennDOT offered several tips for winter driving.
Be patient. Remember that PennDOT crews are working to serve the best interests of their customers. Patience and cooperation on the part of motorists will help plow truck drivers to keep roads as safe as possible.
Stay back. Maintain at least six car lengths behind plow trucks to avoid collisions and damage from anti-skid and salt.
Be visible. Motorists should turn on headlights and move slightly to the left side of the lane to make sure the snowplow driver can see them.
Be cautious. The average snowplow truck weighs 50,000 pounds while the average car weighs about 3,000 pounds. Motorists should be extra careful and not take chances around snowplows.
Reduce speed. Snowplows travel slower and often stop and back up. Be aware and stay alert. Do not pass a snowplow until it has reached a clear area.
Allow space. Don’t travel next to a snowplow. Snowplows can suddenly shift from hitting snow drifts and heavy slush.
PennDOT also offered suggestions for plowing and shoveling driveways. Many times homeowners finished clearing their driveway only to have it plowed back in again.
PennDOT suggests keeping a cleared area of roadway just to the left of the driveway to give the snow on the blade of the plow a place to empty before it gets to the driveway. This simple task can help prevent the frustration of doing the same job twice.
According to PennDOT Assistant District Engineer in Maintenance, Mark Lingenfelter, “people who plow or shovel snow onto the roadway present problems for snow removal crews.
“Snowplow operators cannot lift the plow when approaching each driveway and have no choice but to plow it back from where it came,” Lingenfelter said in the resent press release.
“If snow is pushed onto the highway after the road has been cleared, it can become packed down and result in ice patches that can cause an accident.”
Lingenfelter also noted that plowing snow from side streets and driveways across a state road is an extremely dangerous and illegal practice. Homeowners and independent plow operators can be cited for leaving snow tracks across the highway.
Using common sense and taking extra care during the winter season can save a lot of time and trouble in the end.
