Winter Safety on the Roads: Protecting Snowplows
The first snow squalls of the season pushed across the Missouri River this week, turning I‑94 and State Street into ribbons of swirling white. In that kind of grit-and-glare, the North Dakota Highway Patrol is asking drivers for one simple favor: give plows and first responders room to work.
The agency’s reminder is annual but urgent. When visibility drops and lanes narrow behind a berm of fresh snow, snowplows—often running in tandem and tossing clouds of powder—need extra space to clear and treat the pavement, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol NDHP. The same goes for tow operators and troopers responding to slide‑offs along U.S. 83 or the East Bismarck Expressway.
“Don’t crowd the plow” is the familiar refrain. On the ground, that means slowing well below the posted limit, turning on headlights, and resisting the urge to pass until you have a clear view ahead and ample distance.
The Hazards of Winter Driving
Black ice, ground blizzards, and drifting across open stretches east of Bismarck can combine to erase the road’s edges in seconds. When a plow is throwing snow—especially from the right‑side wing—its blind spots expand, and the snow cloud can conceal hazards or a second plow staggered nearby, NDHP notes.
Winter risk isn’t hypothetical. The Federal Highway Administration estimates about 24% of all weather‑related crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and more than 1,300 people are killed in those conditions nationwide each year, with over 116,800 injured, according to the FHWA’s Road Weather Management Program FHWA. Those national numbers play out locally when early storms catch drivers at highway speeds on I‑94’s open lanes.
Highway crews also face traffic that clusters too closely. Plows operate more slowly by design; they may stop, turn, or pivot a wing blade without warning to clear intersections and bridges. NDHP emphasizes that passing on the right—between the plow and the shoulder—is especially dangerous because that’s where the heaviest snow and debris are thrown.
Community Impact and Awareness
Bismarck’s winter rhythm depends on those orange blades. City Public Works crews clear arterials near the Capitol, school routes, and downtown blocks before pushing into neighborhoods; their updates and plow priorities are posted on the City of Bismarck website City of Bismarck. When drivers give them room, streets open faster and emergency responders can reach calls sooner.
Safety messaging is everywhere this time of year—from NDHP social posts reminding motorists to slow down and move over, to North Dakota Department of Transportation updates on no‑travel advisories and road closures through the state’s Travel Information Map NDDOT Travel Map. Those alerts help commuters plan around wind‑prone corridors like Apple Creek and University Drive.
Local habits matter too. Many longtime drivers keep an emergency kit in their trunk and wait a beat before pulling into intersections after the light turns green—just in case a plow is finishing a pass. That patience, NDHP says, is the difference between a close call and a preventable crash.
Patrol’s Call to Action
The Highway Patrol’s guidance is straightforward:
Slow down as you approach plows, tow trucks, and emergency vehicles. North Dakota’s Move Over law requires drivers to reduce speed and, when safe, move over a lane for stationary vehicles with flashing lights, including snowplows and tow trucks, according to NDHP NDHP.
Never pass a plow on the right. Stay back far enough to see the plow’s mirrors; if you can’t see the driver, they can’t see you.
Use headlights in blowing snow, leave extra stopping distance, and clear all windows—roof included—before you drive.
A winter‑ready checklist can keep you rolling:
Tires with adequate tread (or dedicated winter tires), topped‑off washer fluid rated for subzero temps, a good ice scraper, and wiper blades in working order.
A trunk kit: blanket, gloves/hat, jumper cables, shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, flashlight, phone charger, and snacks/water.
Trip tools: check the NDDOT Travel Information Map before you go and tell someone your route and ETA, especially on rural stretches NDDOT Travel Map.
First responders say the scariest moments are often near‑misses—drivers attempting to slip past a plow as it clears a turn lane, or speeding through a crash scene on a slick bridge. NDHP’s line is consistent: slow down, give space, and let crews finish the job.
Looking Ahead: Ensuring Safe Travels
State and local agencies are leaning on technology to help. The NDDOT Travel Information Map and 511 tools show live road conditions, camera feeds, and plow activity so drivers can time trips around the worst wind and visibility NDDOT Travel Map. City of Bismarck updates on snow emergency routes and downtown snow removal schedules give residents a heads‑up on parking restrictions, which speed plowing and reduce tows City of Bismarck.
Policy and practice evolve, too. NDHP continues public outreach on the Move Over law and winter driving basics, and coordination with local partners—from Bismarck Public Schools to the Bismarck‑Mandan Chamber EDC—helps amplify the message when the next clipper arrives.
Engaging the Community
Want to go beyond reminders? Neighborhood associations and workplaces can host short winter‑driving briefings with NDHP or City Public Works, covering safe following distances, route planning, and what to pack. Agencies list contact info and request forms on their websites—start with NDHP’s community outreach page NDHP and the City of Bismarck Public Works portal City of Bismarck.
Readers can also share real‑time tips—where drifts are forming along North Washington Street, or how visibility is on River Road—while avoiding play‑by‑play from behind the wheel. Tag updates after you arrive, and point neighbors to the NDDOT map for official status.
What to Watch
Another clipper system is possible in the coming weeks; monitor no‑travel advisories and visibility reports on the NDDOT map before commuting.
City of Bismarck will post snow emergency routes and downtown cleanup schedules after significant snowfalls—watch for parking notices to speed plow work.
NDHP plans continued winter‑driving reminders through early spring; expect targeted enforcement on I‑94 and U.S. 83 during storms.