The province released an advisory on driving cautiously around snowplows. MooseJawToday.com spoke with Taylor Elder of the Moose Jaw Police Service about safe city driving.
“Be aware, pass with care” when overtaking highway snowplows
300+ provincial snowplow operators cover a network of about 26,000 kilometres and sometimes encounter drivers whose impatience drives them to make reckless choices.
Steve Shaheen, senior communications consultant at the Ministry of Highways, said the number of incidences in the province of private vehicles hitting snowplows is trending in the right direction. Over the past five years, there have been a total of 18 collisions, versus 33 in the five years before that.
So far this winter, there’s been only one collision involving a provincial snowplow. That collision occurred on Dec. 2. With an average of 4.5 hits per year, more collisions may occur before spring. Motorists who exercise reasonable caution around snowplows reduce their chances of becoming part of that statistic.
“We’re hopeful drivers will be more aware, attentive, and (will) drive with care,” Shaheen said. “We want all drivers and snowplow operators to get home safely.”
Snowplows use blue and amber lights when plowing, salting, or sanding to increase their visibility and heighten awareness. The province provides these safety tips for sharing the road with a plow:
- Plan ahead using the Highway Hotline www.saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline or by calling 511;
- Slow to 60 kilometres per hour when highway equipment or other emergency vehicles are stopped with warning lights in operation;
- Stay back and stay safe – snowplows can create mini-blizzards known as the "snow zone";
- Allow snowplows time and space. They will pull over about every 10 kilometres or when safe to do so;
- Drive according to weather and road conditions; and
- Pass only when safe to do so.
“Public safety is a top priority,” 11-year snowplow veteran Jarrod Klassen said during a provincial media event. “My job is to clear the roads to keep people safe and the public’s job is to drive with care so I can get home safely to my family.”
Safe driving within the city of Moose Jaw
Staff Sergeant Taylor Elder of the Moose Jaw Police Service says that most snowplow collisions occur on the highway. Within the city of Moose Jaw, motorists drive slower and it is typically easier to see the flashing lights of the plows.
However, Elder says MJ police do see an increase in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) during the winter months.
“For example, in the month of June, the Moose Jaw Police attended 19 MVCs,” Elder told MooseJawToday.com. “In the month of November, (we) attended 33 MVCs.”
Elder has been a police officer for 13 years. Most of his time has been spent in patrol, and he has responded to many MVCs. He shared some best practices for avoiding expensive damage and injury in the winter:
- Snow tires are far superior to all-seasons for driving in slippery winter conditions
- Many MVCs occur because people are driving too fast for conditions – give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination
- Do not follow too closely. Section 225(1) of the Traffic Safety Act designates “following too close” as an offence accompanied by a $125 fine. Beyond the fine, Elder says “a lot of collisions are from people following too closely and not leaving time and space to react.”
More winter driving tips can be found on the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) website.
