APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Winter is coming, and in Wisconsin, that usually means snow covering the highways. That’s why Monday was marked as Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day.
Winter driving could probably be regarded as a special talent. But Outagamie County Highway Commissioner Dean Steingraber says they have 81 people who take that talent to the next level, getting out there during storms – and before anyone else.
“It’s not a shovel, it’s not a snowblower – these are huge pieces of equipment that they’re very talented in operating,” Steingraber said. “They’re putting their lives on the line to save other people and make sure they’re in good shape. They have a huge amount of courage.”
“Every type of snow event there might be, whether it’s a sprinkle or it’s a blizzard, our folks are out on the roads,” said Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson. “Slow down. Give yourself a little extra time to get to work or to get to your destination…Give yourself enough distance, in front and [behind] our plow drivers. Whatever you do, try to keep it as easy as possible.”
Outagamie County has 47 vehicles that are used to clear over 5,000 lane miles of roads every year. Giving those vehicles enough room to operate is important, especially for the people driving them.
Steingraber says it seems like there’s more traffic on the roads every winter.
“Stay home if your workplace allows you to do that while we’re plowing the snow. That helps our guys out tremendously. And if that’s not possible and you have to get to work, slow down and give them space,” Steingraber said. “Get prepared for winter, it’s coming. We could see it a little bit this weekend and the week before. It’s coming, so get ready for winter. We are.”
“If it’s snowing, we’re out there. No matter what time of day, holiday, or anything, that’s our job…We’re out there to make the roads a safer place for everyone to get where they’re going,” said Highway Department Foreman, Matt Wied. “We need room to do our job and keep the roads safe for everyone. So we ask that people just give them the room to make the roads safe…All of our trucks have signs on the back of them saying ‘Stay Back 200 Feet.’ That’s the minimum we ask. If you want to hang back even further, that’s greatly appreciated.”
The back of an Outagamie County Highway Department snow plow displays a sign asking other drivers to stay back. (PHOTO: WTAQ News)
The Brown County Public Works and Highway departments also released a memo Monday morning with tips on safe winter driving:
- Drivers should check their tires to make sure they have good traction for winter driving.
- Plow crews do their best to treat the roadways and bridges ahead of time to reduce snow/ice freezing to the roadway, usually with brine solutions. Brine uses less salt on the roadway, which means less salt on your car, less salt in the environment, and less cost to the taxpayers. We only use calcium chloride in extreme situations – our typical brine mix utilizes beet juice which includes an anti-corrosive additive. Don’t believe the comments on social media about brine!
- Bridge decks tend to freeze/ice up quicker than the adjacent roadways due to the temperature differential caused by air under the bridges. Drivers should always be cautious when crossing a bridge deck in colder temperatures (at or near freezing).
- During a snow/ice event, the roads and bridges will get slippery. Plows generally take 2 to 2.5 hours per route which means they will not be able to keep the roadways from deteriorating while it’s actively precipitating. Drivers should slow down and pay added attention during changing roadway conditions. Brown County has 39 plows, including 5 tow-plows, out on the County and State roadways covering 1,700 lane miles. If it’s precipitating, and you don’t see a plow, it just means they are elsewhere on their route.
- Stay away from snowplows. They are big, heavy, and will win in every collision. Plow drivers have a lot to pay attention to – other drivers, numerous plow wings, the snow they are plowing, etc. Please don’t make their job harder by being reckless around them. Be patient. A few extra minutes won’t kill you, but recklessly trying to pass them might.
- During the storm our plow drivers do their best to keep the roads as drivable as possible. Once it stops precipitating, then cleanup operations can begin in earnest, plowing the snow and ice off the roadways and applying salt to get the roads bare.
- After a storm, plow operators can still be out for a day or two, cleaning drains, dealing with blowing and drifting, or pushing snow piles back (shelfing) to prepare for the next storm.
