Province asks drivers to ‘be aware, pass with care’ when encountering snowplows

The Ministry of Highways has launched a campaign aimed at creating awareness in the hopes of keeping highway drivers and snowplow operators safe this winter season.

Highways Minister Greg Ottenbreit said, on average, there are five collisions involving snowplows each year.

Snowplow operator Wendy Koslowski knows that all too well. Her plow was struck from behind in January of this year as she was travelling back from Duck Lake.

“It was a small car. It was just a bump, but the initial (act of) me stepping on the brake so hard flung me ahead and I hit my face on the steering wheel and bounced back and that’s where most of my damage was from,” Koslowski said Tuesday.

She had to miss work as she recovered from her injuries, which included damage to one of her shoulders and her neck to the point that she can no longer lift her young daughter.

Koslowski said the incident really affected her family, and she had some anxiety about getting back to the job.

“The first time after my accident, getting back in my truck, how I felt was nervous,” she said. “(I was) very nervous and scared.”

Provincial snowplows have flashing blue and amber lights.

Ottenbreit said the campaign was launched to remind drivers to slow down and pass only when it’s safe to do so.

Koslowski asked drivers to be patient. Even if they can’t pass, the plow will at some point pull over to let traffic get through.

“We will pull over eventually,” she said. “Ten to 15 kilometres down the road, we will pull over and let people pass, not just for your safety, but for our safety too. We’ll find an approach to let you go by.”