Mother Nature giving snowplow drivers a tough time this winter

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reminds the public that it is illegal to deposit snow on or next to a state highway or street.
City, county and state snow plow drivers have already been overloaded this winter, which officially started on Dec. 21.
“We’ve already had more snow than we’ve had in recent winters,” said Tim DeVlaeminck, one of the three Minneota snow plow drivers, along with Trent Hennen and Ardy Sorensen. “It’s not easy to keep up with all the snow, but we do it because it’s our job.”
Snow plow drivers have a thankless job. They are among the most unappreciated and least respected among workers. Often, a resident gets frustrated when they clean their driveway out, only to have the plow go by and fill up the end again. But the driver has a job to do to keep the streets clean so people can travel more safely.
“It’s important to the Minneota crew to keep the streets as clean as possible,” DeVlaeminck said. “If we don’t keep them clean after it snows and we get a 10- to 12-inch snowfall on top of that, the streets will be two feet narrower on each side. And when there are cars parked on the narrower streets, it makes it even harder for traffic to get through.”
According to many locals, Minneota’s city streets ranks among the cleanest and safest.
“We just cleaned all the intersections to make it safer for drivers to be able to see traffic coming down the street,” DeVlaeminck said. “Also, if the snow is piled up in the corners of blocks, it blocks the drains. When it melts and it can’t drain, it freezes and causes all kinds of problems.”
Following a snowstorm, the Minneota crew begins at 4 a.m. cleaning the business district streets first in order for people to be able to patronize the businesses. then work their way outward.
“By around 8 a.m., we can begin removing the snow,” DeVlaeminck said.
The workers dump the residential snow in several locations, mainly at K.P. Kompelien Field so when the snow melts it runs into the Yellow Medicine River. McDOT urges residents to not place snow on or near a public road, including the right of way, as it creates hazards, including drainage problems, drifting, visibility issues and unsafe access.
Minnesota Statute 160.2715 (a) (1) and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling, or otherwise placing of snow on public roads. This includes the ditch and right of way area along roads. Violations are considered misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if the placement of snow creates a hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut, or bump, that contributes to a motor vehicle or pedestrian crash. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who placed the snow.
MNDOT also reminds drivers to stay safe this winter with these important tips:
Don’t drive distracted.
Say alert for snowplows which turn or exit frequently and may travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.
Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow; don’t drive into a snow cloud.
Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
Turn your headlights on (not simply the automatic setting) and wear your seat belt.
Turn off the cruise control.
Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
Drivers can also say informed by signing up for email or text travel alerts at MnDOT’s website at www.dot.state.mn.us/d8/index.html and clicking “Email and text updates” under the “Connect with us” heading. Choose to receive messages via email or text message. Then, choose the “Southwest MN Travel Alerts” under the “Travel Alerts” category.
Drivers can also:
Join the Southwest Minnesota Facebook group for news, events, and update, or follow MNDOT on Twitter @MNDOTsouthwest for news, events, and updates.
For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.