VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A Minnesota man was uninjured after striking a snowplow near Valley City Wednesday afternoon.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports that Matthew Klar, 28, of Hinckley, MN was traveling eastbound on I-94 in the passing lane when he entered snow fog created by a snowplow. Klar rear-ended the snowplow near MM293 at around 3:30 PM.
Klar was uninjured and cited for following too close. His pickup was totaled. The 54 year-old snow plow operator was also uninjured. The NDHP reports this is the second time this winter he has been struck. The snowplow had minor damage.
The NDHP would remind motorists to give NDDOT snow plows the space necessary to safely remove the snow and ice from our roadways. Snow plows continue being struck statewide this year. NDDOT snow plows and other snow removal equipment have emergency lighting to make traffic aware of their location. Blowing snow and snow fog may obscure these lights and the NDDOT equipment at times. Always slow down when approaching a snow plow and pass safely when you are can clearly see around the snow plow and the snow plow operator would be able see you. If your vision is obscured by the snow fog a plow is creating, stay back, slow your speed, turn on your hazard lights and wait for the plow operator to pull over to allow traffic to pass. Don’t ever blindly drive into a snow fog without slowing down.
In addition, do not become distracted while driving and never drink and drive.