ROCHESTER - Three snowplows were hit by vehicles Wednesday morning over the course of three hours in southeastern Minnesota.
Only one injury was reported in the three incidents -- the driver of a car that rear-ended a Department of Transportation plow on State Highway 14 in Olmsted County sustained injuries not considered life-threatening. But the volume of crashes in a short span of time was enough to prompt concern from MnDOT.
All three crashes involved vehicles rear-ending snowplows, but MnDOT spokesman Mike Dougherty said a combination of blowing snow and icy roads made Wednesday morning particularly challenging for commuters.
“It’s just one of those puzzling situations,” he said. “We try to remind people that our plows move slower because they have to get the salt on the roads. The (plow) drivers try to keep an eye on traffic behind them, but they also have to look in front of them and make sure their blades are in the right spot.”
MnDOT recommended drivers keep a five-car distance between themselves and snowplows out on the roads.
