Snow and rain combined with freezing temperatures mean snowplows and salt trucks will be out on the road. Whether this is your first winter behind the
wheel in Michigan, or if you have experience in wintery conditions, please use the
following pointers from The Parent’s
Supervised Driving Guide to assist you in staying safe:
-
Give
snowplows room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the center line or
shoulder.
-
Do not
tailgate and avoid passing, especially on the right. If you must pass, be
extremely cautious and beware of the snow cloud.
-
Keep your
distance and watch for sudden stops and turns. A snowplow operator’s field
of vision is restricted. You may see
them, but they don’t always see you.
Snowplows use distinctive lights to warn you that snow
removal is underway. When you see these
lights, slow down and use caution.
This
winter, for the first time, the lights
on some snowplows will be green. While road users are used to green meaning go, in the case of a
snowplow, remember that green means slow
down.
(Photo by MDOT)
In 2015, Michigan had almost 2,200 traffic crashes involving emergency vehicles. That figure does not even include tow trucks and other recovery vehicles.
If you come across an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road with its lights on, you are required to move over and get out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle. If traffic is too heavy, or you are unable to move over safely, you must slow down and provide as much room as possible. This law applies to police, fire & rescue vehicles, ambulances and towing and recovery vehicles.
Michigan's Move Over Law gives first responders to crashes and other incidents extra room so they can help everyone stay safe.
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