ITD urges safety around snowplows

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — While the Magic Valley has had some rainy weather, some parts are getting snow.

Courtney Wagner, the Public Information Officer with the Idaho Transportation Department, said that currently, in District 4, plows operate in Blaine County and near the Utah border. More snowplows will hit the roads across the Magic Valley as more snowfall comes in.

Wagner added that this time of year, it is essential for drivers to avoid any accidents with the snow plows as they see a lot of them, as they had 38 accidents last year. Earlier this season, they had one fatal accident in Northern Idaho.

ITD snowplows mainly operate on highways, and Wagner stressed the dangers of attempting to pass them.

“Sometimes it can be whiteout conditions so you don’t know what’s going on in front of that snowplow,” Wagner said." Stay behind it in an active snowstorm, unless it’s a multilane highway and then; don’t pass on the side that the barrel is pushing the snow."

That snow from the snowplow can be thrown out with enough force to damage a car. The other danger when attempting to pass a snowplow is another driver going down the road in the opposite direction.

Wagner also mentioned how drivers rear-ending snowplows are another common accident.

“Because they aren’t driving to the conditions and when they try to slow down, they can’t.”

When spotting a snowplow at night, it’s essential to be extra cautious as the dark and less-than-ideal conditions create additional hazards, Wagner said.

“Black ice is much more difficult to see at night. So give that plow extra room just in case they have to stop or you have to stop or if they are turning around because we don’t know if you are gonna slide into the back of that vehicle. So give them extra space, don’t pass them.”

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