VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports that a NDDOT snow plow was side swiped by a pickup Friday morning near Valley City.
A snow plow was clearing snow on the eastbound lane of I-94 two miles west of Valley City when a pickup drove into the snow fog created by the snow plow, side swiped the truck. The truck was driven by Joseph Schumacher, 76, Moffit, ND. The snow plow driver was uninjured.
Schumacher was cited for care required. The pickup sustained extensive 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.