MDOT and CRAM remind motorists:
"Don't Crowd the Plow!"
Contact:
Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963
Agency:
Transportation
December 3, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) today announced a joint-education effort aimed at urging motorists to remember good driving habits in winter weather conditions that will make the roadways safer. MDOT and CRAM will use the familiar safety slogan again this year, "Don't Crowd the Plow!"
"Road crews put their lives on the line every day to keep Michigan roads safe for everyone," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Motorists must remember to drive with caution no matter how much salt we use or how often the roads area plowed."
A steady decrease in road funding and an increase in costs have caused state and local agencies to alter their winter maintenance plans. Drivers have been put on notice that plowing priorities and the use of less salt will make their job even more important than in years past. 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 driving and changes in road conditions," John Niemela, CRAM director, said. "Every year, despite the flashing lights, poor driver behavior near snowplows leads to collisions that can be deadly."
MDOT and CRAM offer 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;
- Motorists should never attempt to pass a moving snowplow on the right. With new, wing-plow 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 safety belt and allow extra time to reach your destinations this winter.
Steudle added, "For the safety of everyone, motorists should use extreme caution when traveling in winter weather conditions. We can't emphasize this enough: Don't Crowd the Plow!"
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