COLUMBUS, Ohio — It just keeps happening.
Another Ohio Department of Transportation plow has been struck this week, bringing the 2024 total to 16. And we're still in the month of January.
To put that number into context, ODOT reported only 26 plow strikes for all of 2023.
"It is pretty unusual to have this many plow hits this quickly," ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning told 3News.
Bruning recalled that during the Christmas 2022 storm in Ohio, 12 ODOT plows were struck.
But many of these strikes are happening when there is no winter storm taking place. Here's a look at what we know about the incidents and what ODOT officials are saying.
The latest incidents
ODOT reports that the 15th plow strike of 2024 happened earlier this week in Ottawa County. In the Toledo District 2 post on Facebook, the agency stated that while the "pictures are intense, everyone will be OK.' ODOT added that the incident was not ice-related.
On Wednesday afternoon, Bruning told 3News about a previously unknown plow hit that happened in Delaware County on Jan. 16. Another vehicle clipped the ODOT plow's mirror. According to Bruning, the damage was "very minor, but still impacted our operations."
The number of plows hit in 2024 stands at 16 as of Jan. 24.
The rash of strikes
Last Friday marked the start of the first major winter storm of the season in Ohio. It also saw four separate incidents of ODOT plows being struck by vehicles statewide, including two in Northeast Ohio.
The first of the two local incidents happened in the morning as an ODOT plow was struck by a vehicle while working to clear snow along I-71 North near the I-76 interchange in Medina County. ODOT tells 3News their plow driver was traveling northbound in the slow lane when a box truck passed on the left. The truck’s rear end then struck the plow blade, according to ODOT officials. There were no injuries to either driver.
Another plow hit happened later in the day in Cuyahoga County. Here is the breakdown of when and where the plow strikes have taken place so far, per a post on X (formerly Twitter) from Bruning prior to the most recent incident in Ottawa County and the revelation about a previous hit in Delaware County.
Caught on video
Last week, ODOT released video that shows one of their plows as it was struck by a vehicle on I-480 East at Tiedeman Road. You can see footage from the crash in the video below:
The first ODOT plow to be struck this year happened around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, on I-90 near West 117th Street. You can watch video of that incident in the player below:
So why is this happening?
"One of the things that we hear a lot from our drivers is that they’re seeing inattention behind the wheel," ODOT Northeast Regional Public Information Officer Amanda McFarland told 3News' Isabel Lawrence last week. "Whether that’s someone changing the radio, reaching for something, using their cell phone, which is illegal now – they're just seeing so much inattention that people aren’t paying attention. And if you're not paying attention, that’s how you miss these giant machines”
Bruning adds that ODOT is also seeing more drivers impaired or simply driving too fast given the conditions.
"Most all of these crashes are easily avoided by drivers simply paying attention, slowing down, and not trying to pass us," he said. "There is no reason for anyone to hit our plows. They are highly visible with lights and reflective tape. I can’t imagine anyone being able to say 'I didn’t see the plow.'"
Drivers are being reminded to stay two to three car lengths behind snow plows. Remember, the plows will be driving much slower than the posted speed limit to allow that salt to stick. Also keep in mind that plow drivers have more limited visibility due to the snow from the plow, plus they have no rear-view mirror.
"These plows are driven by men and women who have a family or friends they want to see at the end of the day. They take great pride in getting their route cleared. They want everyone to make it to their destination safely. Just give them room to work," Bruning added.
Previous Reporting:
- ODOT: 4 plows hit on Friday; 14 struck so far this year
- ODOT: 12 snow plows have been struck by drivers this year, 3 on Friday alone
- VIDEO: Ohio Department of Transportation plow truck struck by driver on I-480
- Ohio Department of Transportation plow truck struck by distracted driver on I-90: See the video