There hasn’t been too much snow on Saskatchewan’s highways yet, but the plows are ready to go once winter truly sets in. When you see the flashing blue and amber lights on the plows, be sure to slow down.
“We’ve had some snowfall here in the southern part of the province here in the past couple of days,” Highways Minister David Marit said.
“We just wanted to make this announcement today in light of Christmas coming up this weekend. It’s important that the public know the issues and safety of the operators in these plow-trucks.”
When the snowplows have their blades down, they can create mini-blizzards that severely reduce visibility.
Equipment operator Norman Howse has been involved in two collisions related to motorists not slowing down near snowplows.
READ MORE: Saskatoon weather outlook: -40 to -50 wind chills for Christmas
“They will try to pass and even though we’re causing a white-out, what’s happened to me before is I was causing a complete white out behind me and a car rear-ended me on Highway Number 1 East,” he said.
Another collision involved a driver losing control on ice and colliding with Howse’s plow head-on. That collision made Howse’s plow tip over. No one was injured in either collision.
Howse said that plow drivers pull over about every 10 kilometres to allow other motorists a safe opportunity to pass, so it’s important to practice some patience when encountering a plow.
With Christmas taking place on Monday, Saskatchewan’s highways will be very busy over weekend and into next week. Both Marit and Howse encourage people to check the Highway Hotline before hitting the road, and to plan travel based on conditions.
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