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Michigan students highlight winter and road safety with creative, colorful Paint the Plow artwork

November 05, 2026

LANSING, Mich. - Students from schools across Michigan unveiled their imaginative and colorful artwork as part of the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) annual Paint the Plow project. This initiative invites students to paint snowplow blades with designs that promote safe driving and raise awareness of the snowplow operators who work to keep Michigan’s roads clear during the winter season.

This year's designs highlight the safety message, "See snow? Go slow!" is a reminder for drivers to reduce speeds, remain alert and allow snowplows plenty of room to work safely. Each painted plow blade showcases the creativity of Michigan students while reinforcing the importance of safe winter driving and the state’s commitment to reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

"The community collaboration for this is amazing, it's great to let the students showcase their skills while serving the public," said MDOT Bay Region Transportation Maintenance Supervisor Paul Ruegsegger Jr. "Our staff gets excited to drop the plows off as well as pick them back up to see what new and interesting design they came up with. We are huge advocates for this program and would love to see it continue and expand. We'll continue to be a part of this as long as it lasts."

Participating schools include:

  • Bay Region's Heritage High School
  • Bay Region's Cass City Jr./Sr. High School
  • Grand Region's Belding Middle School
  • Southwest Region's Coloma High School
  • University Region's Airport High School

The painted plow blades will appear along state trunklines throughout Michigan this winter, serving both as working maintenance vehicles and as eye‑catching reminders of safe driving.

Beginning in late autumn, MDOT snowplow names and locations will be available on Mi Drive, the department’s construction and traffic information website. Mi Drive also allows motorists to view traffic cameras and speeds, locate incidents and search for construction projects throughout Michigan. To locate MDOT plows in action, select the plow layer on the site. A list of complete snowplow names is available on the MDOT website.

Paint the Plow applications and theme for the 2027-2028 season will be available beginning in March 2027. Applications require a draft of the intended design and commitment from the school to complete the plow blade before the winter season. Applications are open to all Michigan middle and high schools, as well as educational organizations. 

As winter approaches, MDOT reminds all Michigan drivers to stay safe by following these essential winter driving tips:

  • Adjust your speed: Always drive for conditions. Snowy and icy conditions may mean slower speeds and an increase in following distances to allow for safe stopping.
  • Stay alert: Always check the weather forecast and Mi Drive before traveling.
  • Prepare your vehicle: Keep your vehicle well maintained and stock it with supplies like an emergency kit and necessary fluids. Check out the Michigan State Police's Winter Driving page for more tips.
  • Respect snowplows: Give snowplows room to work safely. Michigan law now requires individuals to keep at least a 200-foot distance between their vehicle and a snowplow.

Safe roads start with all of us! Drive smart, give plows space and let's work together to keep Michigan safe this winter.

Attention media:

For more information about Bay Region projects, contact MDOT Bay Region Communications Representative Caitlyn French at 989-573-1274.

For more information about Grand Region projects, contact MDOT Grand Region Communications Representative John Richard at 616-262-1565.

For more information about Southwest Region projects, contact MDOT Southwest Region Communications Representative Nick Schirripa at 269-208-7829.

For more information about University Region projects, contact MDOT University Region Communications Representative Aaron Jenkins at 517-243-9075.

2026-2027 Paint the Plow artwork

  • Painted snowplow blade featuring a winter-themed cartoon scene in shades of blue, white, green, and gray. A gray rabbit is shown running across a snowy landscape toward a green turtle moving slowly through the snow. Snow-covered evergreen trees and rolling snowbanks fill the background beneath a blue sky. Large text across the center reads, “See Snow?” and a red sign near the bottom reads, “GO SLOW.” Additional signs display “HERITAGE JR.” and “GO Hawks.” The blade is mounted on a snowplow truck and photographed in a parking lot with trees and buildings visible in the background.

    Heritage High School

    The Heritage High School plow blade design for MDOT’s 2026-2027 Paint the Plow program.

  • Painted snowplow blade featuring a colorful winter safety scene. The artwork shows falling snowflakes, snow-covered hills, evergreen trees, and a yellow car driving along a black road through a snowy landscape. On the right side, a red cardinal wearing a winter hat and striped scarf holds a sign that says “SLOW.” Large blue lettering across the top reads, “See Snow? Go Slow!!” The blade is displayed outdoors in front of a light-colored building, with part of an orange snowplow truck visible behind it.

    Cass City Jr./Sr. High School

    The Cass City Jr./Sr. High School plow blade design for MDOT’s 2026-2027 Paint the Plow program.

  • Painted snowplow blade featuring a bold black, red, and white winter-themed design. On the left side is a large red armored knight mascot holding a shield with the letters “B” and “P.” Across the blade, large text reads “SEE SNOW? GO SLOW!” in white and red lettering. White snowflakes are scattered across the dark background, while snow-covered trees and a winding roadway appear along the lower right side. Autumn-colored trees and parked vehicles are visible in the background behind the display.

    Belding Middle School

    The Belding Middle School plow blade design for MDOT’s 2026-2027 Paint the Plow program.

  • Painted snowplow blade displayed on a grassy lawn in front of a school building. The artwork shows a snowy mountain landscape with evergreen trees and falling snowflakes against a gray sky. In the foreground, two cartoon-style characters stand beside a winter road holding a yellow sign that reads, “See snow GO slow.” A red pickup truck with a driver is traveling along the road. A school sign reading “COLOMA Public Schools” is visible in the background behind the plow blade. The scene uses winter-themed colors of white, gray, green, and blue, with bright red and yellow accents on the characters and truck.

    Coloma High School

    The Coloma High School plow blade design for MDOT’s 2026-2027 Paint the Plow program.

  • Painted snowplow blade displayed on a grassy area near a roadway and retention pond. The artwork features a winter landscape with trees, wildlife, a winding road, and a red truck. Along the top edge, the text reads “Airport High School PILOT Program.” The number “2027” is painted on the lower right corner. In the background are paved roads, grass, water, and school or recreational facility structures under an overcast sky.

    Airport High School

    The Airport High School plow blade design for MDOT’s 2026-2027 Paint the Plow program.

Press Release MI Newswire Department of Transportation Bay Region Grand Region Metro Region North Region Southwest Region Superior Region University Region Winter Traffic and Safety

Media Contact:

Jocelyn Garza

Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Office of Communications

GarzaJ10@Michigan.gov

989-245-7117

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