Current weather conditions are making travel dangerous for all motorists, including snowplow drivers.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there have been 10 crashes across Oregon where drivers struck an ODOT plow.
With winter weather persisting in many parts of the state, drivers should remember to always pay attention when approaching winter maintenance equipment and never pass snowplows on the right.
ODOT plows were operating in all corners of Oregon Monday, with heavy snow closing Interstate 84 in in several locations and causing whiteout conditions in many others. Extra care is needed to look out for the workers along slippery roads. Remember to never drive around barricades; they’re there to keep everyone safe.
As a reminder to motorists, passing on the right is illegal when there is no lane available and the driver does not have a clear view ahead (ORS 811.415). Many, if not most plows have retractable wing plows that extend eight feet into the right lane and use of the wing plow severely restricts a driver’s view into the right lane.
Dual wing plows used on some multi-lane highways also have plow blades that extend off the left side of the truck.
