'Scared the crap out of me': Sask. snowplow operator details closest call as winter sets in
As the provincial government issues its annual reminders about safe driving around snowplows, one operator told reporters his closest call was being passed by a semi on the Trans Canada Highway during a storm.
"Wind is blowing horrible, it's snowing, there's drifts about two to three feet in the passing lane and they're going over into the driving lane," Jarrod Klassen said, describing visibility that day as zero. "I'm clearing stuff, I'm mostly in the driving lane but I'm opening up the passing lane at the same time and all of a sudden there's a semi beside me."
"He's driving on the shoulder. Passing. Scared the crap out of me."
Klassen has worked with the Ministry of Highways as a snowplow operator for the past 11 years and spoke as part of an event Wednesday morning reminding drivers to use caution and patience when approaching and passing snowplows this winter.
"When you get behind a plow, the plows pull over every 10 to 15 kilometres," said Minister of Highways Fred Bradshaw. "What you do is just sit back and take it easy, wait until the plow pulls over or if they can hit a clear spot you can go out and pass them."
According to Bradshaw, there have been 18 collisions involving snowplows over the past five years.
Ways to keep drivers and operators safe include giving them plenty of space and staying out of the so-called "snow zone" behind the machines, keeping an eye out for flashing orange and blue lights and waiting to pass.
"If conditions are favourable, we get over right away and keep the traffic moving, get the traffic past us, and then get back on our with our day," Klassen said. "Because you're coming to visit me in my place of work and you're only going to be with me for a minute or two, but it could be the most."
The government encourages drivers to plan ahead by using the Highway Hotline to check the latest road conditions.
More than 300 provincial snowplows are responsible for keeping around 26,000 kilometres of roadway clear before, during and after storms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.