Winter weather is responsible for creating some of the most dangerous roads that most drivers will likely face. This year, you can expect the road conditions to be worse as the snow will pour down with full fury. Snowy and icy roads are often the cause of millions of car crashes. This is not only because the cars on this road loose plenty of traction, but it is also because there is a deep sheet of snow on the roads.
For instance, many cars end up falling into a ditch, or also slamming into a rock due to the white layer of deceiving snow that is makes everything flat. Whether you are new to winter driving, or someone experienced, heavy snow spares no one.
Snowplows and their Importance
Snowplows refer to vehicles that make snowy and icy roads hazard free. However, if you get too close to them, then the snowplow itself can become a hazard. On the right side of the snowplow, you will find a huge gush of snow, melting salts, and other liquids. This hinders the visibility for the truck drivers towards oncoming vehicles.
Therefore, passing the snowplow from the right side can put you at a serious risk of an accident. On the other hand, the bigger the snowplow, the more blind spots it has. This is why you have to be extra careful when driving past them. Another consideration that you should take is that snow plows are usually clearing out the road ahead of you because it is not safe to drive on.
When a snowplow driver’s shift starts, the first things they think about is getting on the road and provide the public a safe roadway. For your safety, snowplows make sure that all road ways are free of snow and ice. You, as a car driver need to make their jobs easy on the road.
What can you do?
The first thing that you can do is turn your headlights on so that you can be more visible to snowplow drivers and other motorists. In the winters, visibility is an issue because it gets darker quickly. You also must slow down and drive at a safe speed. Along with maintaining safe speed, you must stay about four to five car lengths behind snowplows.
Snowplow drivers only have side mirrors to see what is behind them at a distance. If you come to close to them, you will enter their blind spot, which means that they will be unable to see you. Snowplows will also sometimes have dangerous snow mist that is trailing behind them. Getting caught in this trailing snow cloud will greatly decrease your visibility.
As you can see, simple driving habits can keep you away from danger, and also help snowplows carry out their essential tasks without any problem. Therefore, make sure to follow the above mentioned tips.
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