​Winter Travel Requires Extra Caution Around Snow Plows

Few people will argue that this winter in eastern Oregon is more severe than recent memory, with back to back snow storms, sub-zero temperatures, occasional 80-mile-per-hour winds gusts, and challenging driving conditions throughout the area. For the Oregon Department of Transportation an increase usage of sanding rock, chemical deicer and overtime hours for snow plowing also points to an unusually harsh season. As example, ODOT crews in eastern Oregon worked twice as many overtime hours so far this winter than last year. A total of 14,919 OT hours between December 1 and January 31 this season, compared to 7,650 OT hours during the same period 12 months ago.

Another sign of extreme weather is an increase in vehicle crashes, including those involving ODOT winter maintenance equipment. Several incidents involving snow plows have occurred since the first of December. Motorists trying to pass plowing operations have been a contributing factor in at least two of these crashes. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the recent incidences, but costs for damaged ODOT equipment and highway structures (guardrail, site posts, etc.) can be a financial burden for at-fault drivers and their insurance companies. Damage claims for plows and highway structures can range between a few thousand to well over one-hundred thousand dollars.