Pictured above: D1's Cory North talks to kids about snowplow safety in mid-November 2019 in Mullan.

Operators help drivers get “plow ready”

Snow has already covered parts of the state, and this year audiences in the Coeur d’Alene, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls areas heard from operators on how they can be “plow ready.”

The department pushes out information annually to remind drivers to be Idaho Ready with a focus on winter safety messages, but recently those efforts were supplemented by presentations made by the SNOW (Safely Navigate Our Winter) Team in its pilot season.

SNOW is an employee-led outreach program looking to help drivers understand how to drive safely during Idaho winters, with an emphasis on sharing the roads with snowplows.

Earlier this year, ITD employees recognized the idea behind the program as Best of the Best in Customer Service, infusing new energy to the team and bringing funding to launch the program.

Since the kickoff in D1, D4 and D6 in late October, more than 10 presentations have been given to schools, drivers education classes and large companies. Some were led by operators and most were able to arrange for actual plows to be on scene for show and tell.

“At one of our presentations, the operator set up cones around the plow to give a real- life visual of how big the blind spots are when behind the wheel,” said Jessica Williams, D4 public information specialist and SNOW coordinator. “It was really entertaining watching participants try to find the cones in the mirrors themselves.”

Presentations were initially supported by handouts from the Office of Highway Safety, but practical giveaways like emergency blankets and tire gauges have been ordered for next year.

“This program reaches into communities across the state to promote the safety of drivers and ITD employees,” Office of Communication Manager Vince Trimboli said. “It has even greater meaning when the message comes from the people actually doing the work.”

Pictured below: D6 maintenance forces made a SNOW presentation to the Idaho National Laboratory in December 2019.

Pictured below, D4's Joe Sabala introduces ITD snowplow to kids and parents at the Gooding Library in November 2019.

Published 01-10-20