Despite the fact snowplows on Saskatchewan highways are huge machines spewing up vast clouds of the powdery stuff, and despite the fact it is illegal to pass one at more than 60 kilometres an hour, apparently drivers in this province still don’t get it.
Every year, there are serious, sometimes fatal, collisions involving snow removal equipment.
Now, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is changing the lighting sequence on its vehicles from amber only to amber and blue in an attempt to increase safety.
Brent Boyko is a long-time snowplow operator who works out of Yorkton, who has seen some hairy situations out on the highways.
“I’ve had, myself, quite a few instances where, it’s not that they don’t see us, it’s just that they don’t recognize, maybe, what we are,” he said. “We’re really hoping with the distinctive blue lights we’ll be more identifiable when they’re coming up behind us or leading us.”
As of December 21, all Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure snow removal vehicles are now sporting new, blue LED lights while they are plowing.
The problem, according to the highway department, is that the former amber lights were also used when the vehicles were simply travelling from one point to another and amber lights are also used by other over-width and slow-moving vehicles such as farm equipment.
“The blue and amber light combination is unique to snow removal equipment, so it helps motorists identify when equipment is working on the highways,” Don McMorris, deputy premier and minister responsible for SGI. “When you see the blue and amber lights flashing, please slow down and stay well back of the snow removal equipment.”
Transport Canada is actually promoting the move as a new national standard. So far, Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and now Saskatchewan have adopted it.
In advance of the changeover, the ministry engaged in an extensive public relations campaign to inform members of the public what it means when they see blue.
“By adding the blue lights to the amber ones already in use, we’re hoping to increase visibility and awareness of our snow removal equipment,” McMorris said. “At this time of year, we’re all in a hurry; increasing visibility of equipment will help everyone get home safe.”
