BC Transportation releases video showing the danger of passing plows

With much of the province being under a snowfall warning, BC Transportation is reminding motorists to be patient with snowplows.

On Friday, the government agency issued a tweet featuring footage of a risky pass past a plow by a pickup truck on a BC highway.

D'oh! A @mainroadteam plow captured this video footage of a truck dangerously passing on the right through a barrage of snow. Reminder: this is NOT safe and NOT permitted, and can result in a fine. #ShiftIntoWinter pic.twitter.com/7Gnszd4FzP

— BC Transportation (@TranBC) December 6, 2019

“There’s an essential rule about sharing the road with snow plows,” says the ministry.

“Never pass them on the right!”

Signs are posted along B.C. Interior highways reminding drivers that it’s not permitted and you can be issued a minimum fine of $96 if you’re caught doing so.

The reason motorists are told not to pass plows on the right is because that’s where the blade is and with all of the snow and debris flying out to the right a driver can easily lose all their visibility while attempting to pass.

Many plows are also equipped with extendable wings that might not be visible because of that blowing snow, making it easy for a driver to clip them.

“We’re not here to get in your way,” says one VSA equipment operator, Michelle.

“We all want to make it home to our families at the end of the day, too.”

In 2016, there were 11 collisions between cars and plows on the Coquihalla Highway alone, creating stress, grief and costs for a lot of people.