MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Our Facebook Story of the Day on Thursday took a look at something we can really appreciate right now...snow plows. So what does it take to operate them?
Well, according to the Marquette County Road Commission, it takes a lot of multitasking. Not only is an operator handling the driving, they're also handling the snow, the plow, the sand and all of their blind spots, and there are many of those.
First of all, the plows don't have a rear view mirror, and in such a massive machine, it is difficult to see anything behind the vehicle. Also, while some may think plows or sanders fair better than other vehicles in snow, the road commission says that's not the case.
"It's not a whole lot different than if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. I've got four-wheel drive; I can go as fast as I like until they break traction, then they realize they slide like any other vehicle, so it's no different," said Michael Harrington of the Marquette County Road Commission.
So if you find yourself on the road with a plow, stay back. Give it some space, because it will keep you and the roads safer.