MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down and give road crews more space after 13 snowplows were struck by other vehicles this winter.
WisDOT and the Wisconsin County Highway Association announced Wednesday that some of the crashes were considered “serious incidents.”
The crashes that were serious happened in Calumet, Marinette, Shawano, Portage, Waukesha and Wood counties.
In most cases, the snowplows are hit from behind. This causes damage to both the car and the snowplow and can take the snowplow out of service.
“Every time a snowplow is hit, it puts operators at risk and takes critical equipment off the road,” WCHA Executive Director Patrick Vander Sanden said. “These crashes are preventable. Drivers need to slow down, stay back and be patient.”
Snowplows travel at slower speeds so they can “effectively apply liquid brine or road salt and clear the lane of snow and ice,” officials said.
WisDOT is asking drivers to watch the road ahead, stay alert and leave enough room to brake. Officials say at least 200 feet should be given behind a working snowplow, but if you must pass, be careful. Snowplows can create a cloud of snow that can obscure vision, and road conditions in front of the plow are likely to be worse than behind the plow.
Additionally, drivers are asked to check 511wi.gov or the 511 Wisconsin mobile app to keep an eye on road conditions, live traffic video, and possible traffic incidents.
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