Plows Battle Recent Snowstorm

Sledding, snowball fights, snow sculpture, snowmobiling or snowboarding: fun in the snow means different things to different people. For this Review reporter nothing says winter like a wild snowplow ride. Wednesday, I joined Lorain county plow driver Scott Law as he worked to combat the incoming snowstorm.

County manager Bill Krueger was not surprised by the snowfall on Wednesday. "We watched it all day coming in. We knew it was coming all day," he said. Krueger works at the Oberlin headquarters of Lorain county Department of Transportion. "We're tied into National Weather forecast, they help us out," Krueger said.

Speed, according to Law, is the primary cause of winter accidents. "I'd say 90 percent of accidents wouldn't happen if people would just slow down. But nowadays everyone's in a hurry," he said.

Later in the evening, we pass a truck that has driven off into the ditch. "You see, he was going too fast and down he went," Law said. Law used his radio to call the accident in and the Oberlin Office of Ohio Department of Transportation in turn called the State Police. On our way back the State Police were at the scene, and a tow truck had arrived.

Law said that during colder nights, he has stopped to help stranded people. "I can't wait too long because I've got work to do, but if someone's cold they can sit in the truck until the State Police come," Law said.

Law said that this winter was "not bad," compared to those he has seen in the past. "The last couple of years we haven't really had any major snow storms, I'd say we're due for a good winter." He quickly corrected himself. "Well, I should say bad winter, but they're good for us. That's how we make our money, in overtime."

This is Law's ninth year plowing Lorain County's roads. "You need your CDL [commercial driver's license], and then you just get hired by the state," Law said. Law's job includes plowing roads during winter storms, fixing potholes, paving roads and otherwise keeping the roads safe.

The ride began with Law loading 10 tons of salt into the truck. "Most trucks take eight tons," Law said. Number 710, Law's usual truck, is one of two bigger trucks that can handle drifts with an extra wide plow and an additional side plow. The salt comes from mines near Lake Erie, and drivers record how much they use during each run. "You can go through fifty tons in one eight hour shift. Since 3:30 p.m. I've used probably 20 tons," he said.

Law had begun the day's shift at 3:30 p.m. His shift ended at midnight. "There are potentially probably 30 drivers, but only 18 trucks," Krueger said. Law did not think those numbers were adequate. "We don't have enough trucks, or enough manpower," he said. Law's next shift would start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, and his shifts are often 16 hours long.

Law's route on Wednesday included Route 10 and 20, from the intersection with 57 to the intersection of 83. It also included Route 57 from 82 to Chester Ridge. "On some nights you can go 300, 400 miles just going around in circles," Law said, "It gets boring, you know, seeing the same things over and over again."

There are some simple ways drivers could make Law's job easier. "Watch what the driver's doing. If he's got his turn signal on, let him turn," Law said. He also advised drivers not to try and beat the truck before it turns or changes lanes. "They're better off just waiting," Law said. "When you pull up to a stop sign, if people stopped a little back to look and see if a plow is coming," Law said they could avoid "a windshield full of snow."

Finally, snow plow drivers would appreciate respect. "Around rush hour, people get inconsiderate, and won't let me in or try and pass me. I can't be everywhere at the same time. People slip on the road and get mad, they give you the finger and wonder where the hell you've been. Nothing I can do about it," Law said.

"Sometimes you just feel like you're chasing your tail and wasting your time but it's got to be done," Law said, "I look at it like it could be my kid or my mom or dad off the road, so I try to do the best I can."