02/13/2007 (12:20 pm)
It’s here
3:04 p.m.
Well, I think it’s safe to say that the snow has arrived.
I just saw someone snowmobiling along the side of S. Dixie Hwy. It didn’t strike me as odd until I realized I wasn’t in the U.P.
Driving back from south county, I was behind a string of cars that was behind a snowplow/salt truck. When I spoke with Kyle Kinsey with the road commission earlier I had to ask him – what’s the etiquette for driving behind a plow, particularly if it’s slow moving?
Here’s what he had to say:
The impulse may be to pass the generally slow-moving vehicles, but resist the urge.
“Of course, it may not be against the law to pass (depending on the roadway), but I would advise against it,” he said. “Our trucks will go whatever speed the conditions allow. So if they’re going slower, you probably should be going slower.”
His advice is to stay an adequate distance back from the truck which, because of size, has limited visibility.
Also, cars following salt trucks can apparently make the salt work more effectively. Kyle said the heat generated from the tires and the traction helps it melt and take hold better – something I had never heard before.
4 Comments
Comment by Mike Ingels
Hi Stephanie!
I’m a little bummed that the “Blizzard Warning” is just a little to the south. I’m not sure that I’ve ever been in a true blizzard. Maybe tonight?
Mike
Comment by admin
That would be pretty cool. I wonder – is there an official point at which a storm is deemed a blizzard? I remember from reading Little House on the Priarie forever ago that they had to tether themselves to the home base with rope when venturing out in order to find their way back.
-Stephanie
Comment by LunaPierCook
It’s 5:12 and I got home w little while ago. Unfortunately, people are still in a fast passing mood on 223/Secor/Samaria/Luna Pier Rds between 23 and 75, where there’s rather deep snow blown over the lanes. I let them go, but one of these days, I get the impression one of those idiots will be hitting me. Wonderful, ya’ know?
Comment by Kyle Kinsey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard
This difines conditions required for a storm to be deemed a blizzard. Generally blizzard conditions require precipitation of either snow or ice, wind speeds greater than 35 mph, and visibility reduced to 1/4 mile or less.
Drive safe, even if you are located on the fringe and not in the immediately classified blizzard area.
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