(BEAVER DAM) As winter weather settles in, Beaver Dam police are urging drivers to give snowplow crews the space they need to keep streets safe — and to avoid costly crashes that often happen when cars follow too closely or try to pass too quickly.
Wisconsin law does allow drivers to pass a snowplow, but state statute requires giving extra distance when the plow is actively clearing snow or spreading salt. On city streets — where the speed limit is generally 35 miles an hour or less — drivers must stay at least 75 feet behind a working plow. On faster county roads or highways, that distance jumps to 200 feet.
Beaver Dam Police Lieutenant Jeremiah Johnson says that cushion isn’t just about protecting plow operators — it protects drivers, too. He says that distance helps drivers avoid the snow cloud that can blind them, while also giving them time to react if the plow slows or stops.
“It’s a safety rule,” Johnson said. “It’s going to keep the road safe in case there’s an accident. It gives you time to stop. But also it’s going to keep your car safe, too, because if there’s rock salt coming out of the back of the truck or it kicks up something that’s on the road, you’re not going to have to worry about that hitting your vehicle.”
Snowplows also carry wing blades — extensions that can stick out anywhere from two to ten feet past the truck. They’re heavy, sometimes weighing as much as a compact car, and they often disappear in the swirling snow behind the plow. That’s why passing requires extra caution.
Johnson says too many drivers underestimate the space those blades need.
“When you’re passing a snowplow, always remember they have these plows and blades that stick out several feet,” he said. “Even when they’re folded up, they’re not 100% in front of the vehicle. So always be aware of that.”
He added that passing often means moving into a lane that hasn’t been cleared yet — another reason to slow down and make sure the maneuver is safe.
Johnson says patience on the road goes a long way.
