Old Man Winter is still here which means residents are most likely to see snowplow operators out on the roadways, clearing snow and ice for drivers.

Rob Rosso, manager of public works for the Township of Centre Wellington, said he doesn’t encourage drivers passing a snowplow operator when out on the roads.

“Give yourself some time in the morning, leave a few minutes earlier, and keep back from plow trucks at least 50 metres because when you’re approaching a plow truck in the winter, it’s almost like a blizzard effect behind the truck, and that’s due to the plowing that we’re trying to achieve [by] getting the snow off the road,” Rosso said.

Rosso said that snowplow operators are also out just trying to make the roadways safer for drivers.

He added that children should stay away from piles of snow in a cul-de-sac or a parking lot.

“As inviting as they may look, tunneling into the piles to build forts may collapse, or using them as a toboggan hill can be dangerous as well, and it also makes it very difficult for plow operators to see the kids in these piles when we are out plowing or removing snow,” Rosso stressed.

Rosso said that if children are walking anywhere they should be using the sidewalks where possible, and wear reflective clothing, as that helps for all drivers concerned.

“If there are no sidewalks, then they should be walking facing oncoming traffic, so they can see the traffic coming in their direction," he said.

Rosso went on to explain how residents can help plow operators.

“It would help us a great deal if residents would not park on the road during or after a snow storm, that allows us to get the roads cleared in a more efficient manner,” Rosso said. “And just another item, is no parking on the streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. any day during the months of November, December, January, February and March of any year.”

He added that no depositing of snow on the road is permitted by residents, it is illegal to do so, and falls under the Highway Traffic Act.

Rob Rosso, manager of public works for the Township of Centre Wellington: