ODOT gives snowplows, drivers green light for winter

With the official start of winter just around the corner, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been hard at work readying its snow-fighting equipment and its 3,000 snowplow drivers for the upcoming snow and ice season.

In recent weeks, ODOT District 9 has been conducting 150-point inspections, test, and fine-tune snow removal equipment as part of county-by-county Operational Readiness Events. During these inspections, auto technicians and mechanics give each truck, plow and grader a thorough review to assure that equipment is functioning properly and address any repairs that need to be made.

“Although last winter was mild, Ohio weather is unpredictable,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “By ensuring our equipment is fully functional and our drivers are trained, motorists can be assured roads will be safe and passable from the first snowstorm to the last.”

ODOT will make history this winter by being the first state in the nation to use green-colored strobe lights on its snowplow trucks. Studies show green lights are more easily detected by the human eye than other colors. The new green lights, along with new white lights, will be added to the existing amber lights creating a color combination unique to ODOT.

“The change to multi-colored lights was driven by the number of vehicles rear-ending ODOT’s plow trucks,” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson. “Ohio has four times the number of rear-end collisions as our neighboring states.”

Thanks to Governor John R. Kasich’s Mid-Biennium Review (MBR), use of the multi-colored lights on snowplow trucks, when operated on highways, is now law. The MBR was a top-to-bottom review of state government agencies and programs. Through this process, the Governor and his cabinet found a number of significant changes to reform outdated policies.

ODOT District 9 includes Adams, Brown, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties.