loading . . . Truck collides with snowplow east of Saddle Lake ST. PAUL - A pick-up truck hit a snowplow on Highway 652 east of Saddle Lake on the morning of Jan. 7, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles and the temporary closure of the stretch of highway.
According to Mike Neuman, a resident of Lamont who was on his way home from buying a snow blower in St. Paul and witnessed the accident, it happened just after 11 a.m. when the sun was shining.
“I was about 250 feet back from the plow,” said Neuman, who was planning to pass because the plow was going about 60 km/h, but decided not to when he saw the oncoming vehicle.
Neuman said he helped the plow driver after the collision, who was “shaken up, but OK.”
“They hadn’t removed [the occupants] from the pickup truck by the time I left, about 50 minutes after,” said Neuman.
“But I could only assume there would be broken limbs, or legs or feet or something. I mean the plow was in the air about two or three feet,” said Neuman.
When he left, there were two ambulances on scene.
According to Kellieka Formanek, a spokesperson for the St. Paul RCMP, the collision is still under investigation. Formanek confirmed the highway was closed for a time and two women were taken to hospital.
EMCON Services
According to Frank Rizzardo, the president for Emcon Services, which holds the maintenance contract for the roads in the region, “the operator was in his lane and was patrolling and applying abrasive as necessary . . . and the oncoming vehicle crossed the centre line.”
According to Rizzardo, the plow operator did not have to go to the hospital and was able to participate in the accident reporting process with the company and the RCMP, who also attended the scene.
“There’s nothing in his actions that caused the problem. He didn’t leave his lane . . . Slow down. It’s winter. Get off your phones. Pay attention to the lights,” stated Rizzardo.
In Alberta, snowplows must be equipped with at least one amber light on top of the vehicle and visible from all directions. They can also use flashing rear-facing blue lights to improve visibility.
Rizzardo said the plow truck involved was a 2015 model they had planned to shift from a primary to a stand-by truck for next season, “but it’s probably going to be retired now because the frame is bent . . . the only thing we might be able to reuse is the spreader body, the actual attachment that goes on the truck itself.”
The pick-up truck also sustained significant damage, with the hood, engine, and front and rear fenders all visibly damaged in photos from the accident. According to Neuman, the pick-up hit the plow head on.
Why the plow isn’t on the far right
One question drivers sometimes have about snowplows is why the plow is in the normal lane instead of the passing lane on the right.
According to Rizzardo, it has to do with how the plow is shaped and the physics of snow clearing.
Snowplow blades are angled from left to right.
“We have to move the snow from the main lane to the right, because there’s oncoming traffic and you can’t move it to the left,” said Rizzardo.
He noted drivers should never pass on the right of the plow using the shoulder because “that’s where the wing is. And the other reason is because that’s where the rooster tail of snow and maybe sand is going.”
According to the Government of Alberta website, roads are cleared any time there is three or more centimetres of snow, or when highways become icy.
“If you encounter a working snowplow or sander truck on the road, give them space until they can pull over for you to safely pass,” reads the website.
It also notes drivers should not pass a snowplow when the view is obstructed, would impede the plow’s operation, or cannot be done safely. Failing to comply with the rules can be punished with a $324 fine and three demerits.
“Patience is key. Operators will let you pass every five to eight kilometres, or when it is safe to do so.”
Rizzardo said he would like for drivers to give themselves more time for winter travel and check road reports before they leave.
“Ten minutes isn’t worth losing your vehicle or your life. Get up 10 minutes earlier and you can actually slow down. . . You can relax because that guy, that plow truck in front of you, is putting out abrasive to make your road, your travel safer,” said Rizzardo. http://dlvr.it/TQG4C1
