The new snowplow distancing law requires drivers to keep a 200-foot distance between their vehicle and a snowplow which often travels less than half the speed of regular traffic.
The extra distance provides more time to adjust or stop especially on icy roads says Alex Doty, Communications Administrator for the Ottawa County Road Commission.
“When our vehicles are plowing snow, or scraping the side of the road, they can make abrupt movement or shift unexpectedly. So folks that travel too close or side-by-side with a plow truck when they’re passing, they can get clipped or pushed out of the way and we certainly want to help people avoid that as much as possible.”
200 feet is about 12-14 car lengths but can be a tough distance to gauge says Kent County Road Commission Managing Director Jerry Byrne.
“It really means have some common sense and don’t tuck in right behind that vehicle.”
The law also now requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet from a snowplow at an intersection.
Byrne says crews have far more accidents at intersections than on roadways because plow drivers back up 2-3 times, maneuvering around to clean the area.
“Motorists inevitably will pull in right behind the truck and there’s no visibility. Even with our drivers moving slow, we’re backing onto their hood. We see probably a dozen or more of those types of accidents every year.”
Passing a plow is still allowed if a driver can manage it safely.
“Passing a snowplow truck when they’re scraping and removing snow is dangerous no matter what. The law’s going to let you do that but if that windrow of snow is coming off and you’re passing that vehicle, chances are you’re going to go out of control.”
Police can ticket drivers who don’t comply with the new law, but advocates hope it raises awareness of safety issues and that drivers will voluntarily comply.
