OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — When the weather is snowy like Tuesday's conditions, you can spot them anywhere--but they don't always see you.
Snow plow drivers can't stress this enough, they need space to do their jobs.
At the Nebraska Department of Transportation maintenance yard off 108th Street, snow plow driver Mike Gundersen is ready to roll. His usual route for the past two decades cicles from the NDOT lot to Council Bluffs on Interstate 80.
"About every snowstorm, people follow too close or squeeze between you and another plow," Gundersen said.
He's finishing up a twelve hour shift after Tuesday's snowfall. He's seen the technology inside the truck change over the past two decades, but the problems outside are still the same.
"Like this guy right here passing me," Gundersen said as a semi-truck passed on the immediate left lane. "You know, it's like, move over."
Some drivers are a little too close or get in Mike's blind spot.
Jim Laughlin is the Highway Maintenance Supervisor, he's had some scares of his own while plowing roads.
"We have big plow trucks and they have a lot of blind spots. particularly on the right-hand side," Laughlin said. "You need to use caution when you're passing our plows."
It's tough seeing out the right side of the trucks. The extended plow in the back is usually in the way of the right-side mirror plowing a second lane.
Mike hopes he's getting the message across.
"We have more and more tow plows out there," he said. "I think people are starting to realize it's a big piece of equipment."
Drivers will change shifts at midnight. Laughlin says his department is working overnight to make sure everything's clear for Wednesday morning's commute.
