Winter doesn't officially start until later this month, but already this season, we've had to send our plow crews out to battle early winter weather.

It's important to remember to give yourself more time to get to your destination during the winter, and also to be on the lookout for OCRC trucks working to make travel easier for all of us.

If you come upon a snow plow during your daily commute, please remember the following tips:

• Never attempt to pass a moving snowplow on the right. With new wing-plow technology, the blade can clear the shoulder and the lane of travel simultaneously. Motorists attempting an illegal pass through a snow cloud on the right and/or shoulder of the road most likely won't see the plow blade and run the risk of a serious crash.
• Snowplows have limited visibility and drivers cannot see directly behind their trucks.
• Snowplows often throw up snow clouds, reducing visibility on all sides of the truck.
• Do not text or talk on cell phones while driving.
• Always wear your safety belt and allow extra time to reach your destinations this winter.

Winter maintenance season is a busy time for Ottawa County Road Commission crews.

Typical activities include the application of salt, sand and de-icing solution on roads and highways, and plowing snow on roads and shoulders.

Each winter, the Road Commission responds to as  many as 50 winter call outs, and will use about 20,000 to 25,000 tons of salt, as well as 14,000 to 18,000 tons of sand.

The costs of this service can reach upwards of $3.7 million, depending on the severity of the winter.

To help us clear snow and streets following a winter snow event, a policy was developed to provide cost effective winter maintenance operations. Operations are conducted in accordance with the established priority system based on traffic volumes, road classification, and location.

Here's the breakdown of that priority system:

1 – State Highways (i.e. Interstate, M- and U.S. designated routes)
2 – Multi-lane Primary Roads
3 – Primary Roads
4 – Local Paved Roads
5 – Subdivision Streets
6 – Local Gravel Roads
7 – Dead End Streets and Cul-de-sacs

Please know that during a significant snow event, it can take as long as 48 hours to work our way through the system, and even longer if we have back-to-back snowstorms.

Please be patient as our crews work to get all streets cleared this winter.

Winter begins this month, and with it does the opportunity for many children to play outside in the snow -- especially with the arrival of Christmas vacation.

When sending your youngsters out to play this winter, remember that Ottawa County Road Commission snow plows are also outside, working hard to make our streets safe for travel during the winter months.

While your youngsters may be able to see the bright red Road Commission plow trucks as they head up and down the road, our drivers may not always see your child.

Plow drivers have limited visibility inside their trucks, and that visibility is affected even more while clearing roads during or after a snow storm. The trucks are big and have blind spots, and snow flying onto the windshield and around the truck can reduce visibility.

Our plows can also throw large chunks of ice and snow from them as they pass, and this flying debris could harm anyone who is standing too close -- child or adult.

To ensure your child plays and stays safe this winter, review these safety tips with them:

• Have your child stay far away from the road when playing outside.
• Make sure your child doesn't stand too close to the roadway if they are waiting for a school bus.
• Dress your child in bright colors so our drivers have a better chance of seeing them.
• Never let your child tunnel or build forts in snowbanks along the road. Drivers could inadvertently trap children under these snowbanks if they aren't aware children are on the other side.