“Unique,” said Travis Lenz, a Blaine snowplow operator. “Unique to say the least.”
It’s been almost a snow-free winter in the North Metro. But when the next storm finally does arrive, snowplow operators in Blaine have a simple message for drivers – be extra careful.
Lenz and Chad Becker – another snowplow driver for the city – know things can change in a Minnesota minute.
“I watch the weather every day,” Becker said. “I’m always looking two weeks ahead of time seeing if there is any snow.”
“It can go from a 40 degree day – which we’re going to have some of those this week,” Lenz said. “To all of a sudden you might get a four to six or eight inch snowfall.”
When the flakes finally fall, those behind the wheel of a plow hope that drivers will slow down and be safe and smart on the roads.
“Just give us a little more space,” Lenz said. “Practice patience. We know it’s a hectic society, but we don’t want anything bad to happen on the road. We’re trying to do our best.”
“Basically stay back and try not to come around the plows as we’re going down the road,” Beck said. “The snow is blowing off our plows. Sometimes it creates a zero visibility and makes it tough for you to see us and for us to see you.”
“You will not win”
One thing is certain – a car or truck is no match for a snowplow in a collision.
Said Lenz: “You will not win.”
The gigantic and powerful plows can weigh over 50,000 pounds and destroy a vehicle in a crash.
“You’re going to get the worst of it if you’re driving a car or a truck,” Lenz said. “If you run into a snowplow it’s not going to be good for you. We don’t move very well. There’s a lot of steel. There’s a lot of edges. Windshields don’t hold up to running into beasts like this.”
Becker and Lenz have a combined 19 years of experience plowing Blaine roads and streets. In that span they have detected an uptick in road rage.
“I’ve seen a gentleman pass me in a pick up truck and about a half mile up the road his truck was upside down in the ditch,” Becker said. “If he would have just stayed behind me – I’m clearing the road for him – he could have saved himself a lot of headaches.”
“It does seem like tensions are a little higher over the last number of years,” Lenz said. “People run a little hotter and it just kind of snowballs.”
Drivers should also avoid going around snowplows when they’re at stoplights. If they get stuck the plows can’t clear the roads.
