Don't crowd the plow!
A winter safety message from the state DOT

Driving a 30-ton, loaded snowplow requires full attention and special driving skills. Driving behind or near a snowplow requires patience and some common sense. The following is a list of the top 5 reasons why not to crowd the snow plow provided by the NYSDOT:

• Avoid a shower of road salt - Depending on the snowfall, up to a couple hundred pounds of salt is applied per mile.
• Give peace of mind - Let the snowplow drivers concentrate on clearing the roadway and worry less about tailgaters. A driver has to watch for overpasses, railroads and exit ramps, confirm the salt spreader is working, raise and lower 3 different plow blades, and drive the manual transmission truck besides driving through a snowstorm. Give the space to work.
• Improve visibility - Like other big trucks, snowplows have poor visibility on the sides and behind the vehicle. Remember that if you can't see the driver's side mirrors, he or she can't see you. Avoid riding along the side of the snowplow. Sometimes a train or team of plows work together to plow multiple lanes at once. Stay far behind the last truck.
• Allow the snowplow to maneuver - Snowplows need plenty of room to make left and right turns and to turn around. Give them room to safely make these maneuvers.
• Increased stopping distance - Maintaining at least three times the normal following distance gives you plenty of time to slow down, especially since the road is likely to be slippery. Depending on the weather conditions, snowplows can only drive about 30 or 40 mph to best clear away the snow and ice. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Be glad you are not in front of the truck where the road is the worst.