DPW Tips for Winter Driving & Sharing the Road with Snowplows

BALLSTON SPA – As winter weather sets in, Saratoga County officials urge drivers to prioritize safety on icy and snowy roads. With snowplows hard at work clearing roadways, it’s essential for motorists to practice safe driving habits and show extra caution around these vehicles.

Driving Near Snowplows:

Don’t Crowd the Plow: Snowplows are wide, often extending beyond the width of a standard lane. Give them plenty of room to work, maintaining several car lengths between your vehicle and the plow. Staying well behind the plow where the road is freshly plowed is advised. 

Don’t Follow the Plow into an Intersection: Plowing an intersection is one of the most difficult operations for snowplows as they must do several backing maneuvers to clear the intersection of snow and ice.  When vehicles follow a plow into the intersection backing up becomes problematic and increases the potential for accidents. 

Avoid Blind Spots: Plows have large blind spots. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you.

Be Patient: Snowplows travel at slower speeds to clear roads effectively. Maintain a safe distance and don’t tailgate.

The Saratoga County Department of Public Works (SC DPW) has 24 active snowplow beats, and plows 365 miles of roadway countywide. 

While spreading salt during a countywide winter storm event, one plow beat pass will utilize approximately 390 tons of salt. SC DPW has two garage facilities, one in Ballston Spa and one in Hadley. The County’s salt storage capacity totals 8,300 tons.