Don't Crowd the Plow

With the amount of winter storms we are experiencing across the country this week, it is a good time to remind your drivers about the dangers that exist when approaching and passing snowplows operating on roadways.

During winter storms, snowplows work around the clock to make roads passable. These large vehicles can present a hazard for drivers who follow too closely. Observe these tips to stay safe while giving snowplow operators room to do their jobs.

• Keep well back from snowplows

Plow drivers can't see directly behind their trucks. Sometimes they must stop or back up. Staying a safe distance behind a snowplow will protect you from possible injury and protect your vehicle from sanding material that plows spread on slick roadways.

• Know where the snowplow is on multi-lane highways

The plow could be in either lane or on the shoulder. Watch for snowplows on interstate ramps and "authorized vehicle only" turnarounds.

• Never drive through a snow cloud or whiteout conditions

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You can't be sure if such conditions are caused by crosswinds or by a snowplow, so be patient. Snowplow operators periodically pull over to allow traffic to pass.

Snowplow operators are extremely safety-conscious, but they need your help. Stay back and let them safely do their job of clearing the road for you. Don't take a chance. Don't crowd the plow!

Each year, the Ada County Highway District in Idaho names the county’s snowplows. Some notable names from this year and years past include:

• Taylor Drift

• Snowzooka

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• Snotato

• Clearapathra

• Scoop Dogg

Heart Month Tip



What can you do to help control hypertension?

Eat healthy foods.

Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Eat fruits,

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vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium. Eat less saturated fat, trans fat, and total fat.

Limit the amount of sodium (salt) in your diet.

Maintain a healthy weight.

If you’re overweight, losing even 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

Increase physical activity.

Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

Limit alcohol.

Even if you are healthy, alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Drink in moderation. It is suggested no more than one drink a day for women and two a day for men.

Don’t smoke.

Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, get help. Ask your doctor to help you quit.

Manage your stress.

Reduce stress as much as possible. Practice healthy coping techniques, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing. Get plenty of sleep.

International Roadcheck — May 12–14, 2026

International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety.

International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.

Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.8 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.

CVSA sponsors International Roadcheck with participation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.