Province preaching patience on Saskatchewan roads as holidays approach

With many gearing up to travel on Saskatchewan roads for the Christmas holidays and winter now in full swing, the Ministry of Highways is reminding motorists to drive with caution when snowplows are trying to clear the roads.

Mike Holowka is one of many drivers based in Regina who plows the highways and roads in the area.

He said there have been many times while he has been on the roads when things have almost got problematic.

“(The plows) don’t have censors or mirrors all over the place like your vehicles and we operate them with huge blind spots,” he said during a media conference Thursday.

“Our primary focus during storms is to stay on the road and stay out of the ditch. We won’t always see you and we won’t always be looking for you, so please stay back from us.”

Because of all the equipment they carry and because each snowplow weighs 70,000 pounds, the vehicles can create mini-blizzards of their own when conditions are bad.

Holowka said if people don’t slow down and follow the rules, they can get themselves in a lot of trouble.

“I’ve seen several passing vehicles try to pass in these blizzards (and they) swerve back and nearly hit us,” he said. “I’ve personally been hit (and) personally cut off several times on the highway. And I’ve seen bigger trucks speed by us and end up losing control and hitting the ditch.”

In Saskatchewan, the law says drivers should treat a snowplow like they would an emergency vehicle.

That means if the plows are pulled over and have their flashing lights on, drivers must slow down to 60 kilometres per hour and then pass with caution.

If a snowplow is driving and has its lights flashing, drivers can pass whenever it is safe to do so.

Drivers are reminded that plows pull over every 10 to 15 kilometres in order to let traffic pass. If blue lights are flashing on the vehicle, that means the plow is engaged in winter activity.

Holowka said the overall theme people should follow when on the roads is patience.

“Every day that we’re out there on the road, you run into somebody that is in a rush,” he said. “There’s no point in being in a rush. Get there safely and get to where you’re going.”

“Check the (Highway) Hotline. If (the highway) is closed, stay off the roads. If you see us out there (and conditions are bad), stay far back. We’re trying our best for you.”

Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill reiterated that statement.

“I spend a lot of the time on the roads. I live in the Battlefords and am down in Regina quite a bit. (Patience) is something I have to preach to myself all the time,” he explained.

“I wish (my drive) was shorter than that, but every time I leave the city or get on the road, I just have to remind myself that it’s more important that I make it to my destination safely than five minutes earlier or 10 minutes quicker.

“We all could use a little more patience, especially as we head into the holiday season. Just slow down.”

The Highway Hotline said visibility was reduced on a number of highways in the southern portion of the province Thursday, but there weren’t any roads on which travel wasn’t recommended.