Snow and blowing snow are expected to be a major visibility and traction problem for Northland travelers today -- a dangerous, even deadly combination, the Minnesota Department of Transportation says.
MnDOT reports that, from 2006 to 2008, snowy or icy road conditions in more than 45,000 crashes resulted in 168 traffic deaths and 14,540 injuries.
That means 12 percent of all highway deaths for that period were caused by slippery conditions and speed.
State officials say the issue in almost every case is that drivers were moving too fast for conditions and were unable to stop to avoid a problem, everything from sliding into the ditch to smashing into an oncoming car.
"Much of it comes down to driver behavior,'' said Nathan Bowie, MnDOT spokesman. "It's important to stress that many of these crashes can be avoided by not traveling -- staying put on days when snow/ice is severe -- [and] traveling at safe speeds.''
ADVERTISEMENT
MnDOT plow operator Troy Janke said most drivers don't realize how slowly plows are moving or how fast visibility can drop to zero.
"People come up from behind and, with the cloud of snow we're putting up and all our lights going, we just can't see them. We have a hard enough time seeing ahead of us let alone behind us,'' Janke said. "The problem is, people are doing 55 or better and our average speed is 15 to 35 mph. It doesn't take long, and all of a sudden they're right on our tail.''
Janke urged drivers to slow down and wait for plows to turn off on a ramp or crossing before passing during the worst of a storm.
"People are impatient. I was the same way before I started driving plow,'' Janke said.
Officials at WisDOT agreed, suggesting this week that drivers simply stay off the roads when the snowstorm hits, noting that very few events or destinations are worth the threat of a serious accident.
"The best advice is to avoid driving if you can,'' said Dennis Hughes of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.
Last year there were 103 snowplow-vehicle crashes in Minnesota. Twenty-seven of those crashes occurred when drivers smashed into the back of a plow moving in the same direction.
For weather-related road-condition information, call 511 or go to www.511mn.org in Minnesota. In Wisconsin, call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov .
