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Pocono News Section
Plow Drivers Getting Tired of all the Snow & Ice
Plow Drivers Getting Tired of all the Snow & Ice - Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 5:19PM EST
PITTSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- Depending on where you are, the roads are likely cleared of all the snow we picked up Sunday morning. But looks can be deceiving. Overnight temperatures could lead to dangerous driving conditions once again.
"This last week, week and a half has been real crazy," says one PennDOT worker.
He’s a 21-year PennDOT veteran who's used to plowing. "A lot of ice, and that's the bad thing. The snow's not too bad, but ice, nobody likes ice," says Moe Mullarkey.
But that's exactly what could hamper Monday travels -- thanks to overnight temperatures dipping into single digits -- coupled with strong winds. The ice is tough on drivers -- and PennDOT's plows.
Highway Foreman Frank Kutz says, "Plow blades wear down, and we try to get them replaced and keep running all at the same time."
On top of breaking up the ice with plows -- PennDOT's spreading anti-skid and salt mix. "We put it down so tires will actually have some grip on the road when they come to a stop."
Mullarkey says drivers can help themselves -- and the plow trucks. "We have a lot of people that'll see you at an entrance point, so they try to hurry up and get in front of the truck, and they'll slow you down. Things'll get confusing, they'll panic. The road's bad, they can't go fast, and if they stayed behind the truck, they'd be a lot safer. So, do that, and be a lot happier, too."
He credits 21 years in a plow -- with handling each storm -- and aggressive drivers. "I'd say 99% of the time you've ran into situations, you've run into them before, and you have a pretty good idea of how to react."
PennDOT is on the roads 24-hours a day during these storms -- plow truck drivers tell us they're looking forward to 40-degree temperatures next weekend. "I've got my tank top and shorts all ready," jokes Mullarkey.
But until then -- there's the risk of snow and ice. Mullarkey just hopes Christmas Eve's forecast sticks to rain. "I hope the only ice I see around that time is in a mixed drink," he joked again. | | |
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