Wisconsin drivers heading into the winter season are getting a simple reminder from state officials: give snowplow crews the space they need to keep the roads safe.
Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed Friday as Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day, honoring the men and women who work through snow, ice and subzero cold to clear highways across the state. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin County Highway Association are also encouraging drivers to show appreciation — and practice extra caution — as winter weather ramps up.
“Wisconsin’s snowplow drivers are the unsung heroes of winter,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said, adding that crews work day and night, often in dangerous conditions. She said every driver, mechanic and support staff member helps “keep Wisconsin safely moving — no matter what the forecast brings.”
Wisconsin’s 72 county highway departments have partnered with the state for more than a century. In winter, county crews plow, salt and apply brine on interstate, U.S. and state highways. They work with WisDOT throughout the year to test new equipment and find safer and more efficient ways to clear the roads.
WCHA Executive Director Patrick Vander Sanden said that if someone has ever made it safely to an appointment or family gathering during a winter storm, they likely have a snowplow driver to thank. He said crews take great pride in keeping roads open and communities safe.
Drivers may also notice flashing green warning lights on county or municipal maintenance vehicles this winter. Wisconsin allows those lights, along with the familiar red or amber ones, because they make plows more visible and give drivers more time to react.
Along with the reminder to thank snowplow drivers, the state is urging people to use extra caution when they head out in winter weather. WisDOT encourages drivers to check 511wi.gov or the 511 mobile app before leaving home, buckle up and put the phone away, and watch the road ahead — especially when conditions are slick.
The agency says most winter crashes happen because people drive too fast for conditions, even when they believe their vehicle can handle the weather. Drivers are urged to slow down if visibility drops or roads start to freeze, and to stay at least 200 feet behind a working snowplow so crews can do their jobs safely. If someone decides to pass a plow, they should be ready for a cloud of snow that can quickly cut visibility, as well as rougher road conditions in front of the plow.
WisDOT also reminds drivers not to be overconfident in four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles because those vehicles still need plenty of distance to stop on icy pavement. And in major storms, the safest option may be staying home, since stranded vehicles can block plows and make conditions worse for everyone.
