Page 10 - Work Force January 2017

When the storm help us all stay When severe winter weather makes our roads treacherous CSEA members head into the the storm to to to keep New Yorkers safe
Our members whose job duties include keeping keeping the roads roads clear are providing a a a a a a a a valuable public service service in in in in in keeping keeping roads roads safe
for emergency emergency vehicles emergency emergency service service service workers people who provide essential public services and traveling community members For workers workers responding to to winter storms including state county and and and municipal highway workers workers this often means countless hours of of road preparation and and and snow and and and ice removal to to ensure we can get back to to normal as as quickly as as possible To build public awareness and and improve safety CSEA is is working again this year to to urge drivers to to slow down and and and be patient around snowplows and and and related vehicles so that we can safely do our jobs and and keep you safe
safe
— Jill Asencio
Winter plow safety and driving quick tips!
• Yield to snowplows They travel slower than posted speeds • Give snowplow drivers plenty
of room to do their jobs The safest place for you is far behind a a a a snowplow • Never drive into a a a a spray of snow snow snow generated by a a a a snowplow • Slow down! Never use cruise control on wet or icy roads • Stay alert A snowplow weighs 17 times more more than a a a a a a a a a a a car car In a a a a a a a a a a a crash occupants of a a a a a a a a a car car are much more more likely to be seriously injured • Be patient Follow well behind a a snowplow • • NEVER pass between tandem plows plows • • • Do not drive beside snowplows • • Check your your vehicle Before you you you drive check check your your your tires for for adequate tread and and inflation check check your your windshield windshield wipers and and windshield windshield washer fluid • While four-wheel drive (4WD) helps you get moving moving and keep moving moving during the storm it does not help you stop Distracted and drowsy Wdriving also a a a a a a a a a a a a a risk risk to to to to snowplow operators Clearing the way for winter travel Listen for approaching
snowplows while
shoveling your driveway or sidewalk Move
yourself children and pets away from the street snowbanks and cul-de-sacs It could
mean the difference
between winter fun and a a a a a preventable tragedy A A truck’s wings and plows can span more than 18 feet As snow snow falls 20-foot wide streets get narrower as banks build pushing us us further into the the the lane Give snowplows room to to to work Put extra space between you you and the the the plow plow plow to to ensure that snowplow drivers can see you you If If you you don’t need need to to to be be on on the roads in a a a a a storm stay home If If you you do do need need to to to travel remember that that emergency crews’ response times are are are dependent on on roads that that are are are cleared Remember plows travel slower and and can stop suddenly — don’t don’t don’t speed don’t don’t don’t crowd and and don’t don’t don’t pass 10 The Work Force
January 2017
orsening aggressive distracted and drowsy driving amplifies the risk that snowplow operators face when they head out
in in treacherous conditions to to clear roads As always while
driving don’t talk or text on on on on on your mobile phone Be fully alert during winter weather — ice and and snow are difficult enough to handle without added distractions