Winter Safety

Saskatchewan's winter climate can be extreme – frigid cold, severe changes in temperature, strong winds and heavy snowfall. This weather can cause poor road conditions and keep crews moving to clear snow and ice from Saskatchewan's 26,000 km highway network.

Ministry of Highways snow removal equipment now features blue and amber flashing lights to increase their visibility and to improve the safety of their operators and all motorists.

How to safely pass snow plows

• Treat snow plows the same as you would an emergency vehicle. If they are pulled over and have their blue and amber lights flashing, slow to 60 km/h and pass with caution.
• If a snow plow is driving and has their lights flashing, pass them whenever safe to do so.
• Snow plows pull over every 10 to 15 km to let vehicles pass. Take your time, be patient and safe.
• The blue and amber lights are on whenever the plow is engaged in winter activity. This can include inspecting roads, sanding, salting, plowing, pulled over for reporting conditions or safety checks, etc.

Passing Lanes

• The Ministry of Highways has signs posted at the entrance to several passing lanes advising drivers not to pass snowplows on the right.
• At passing lane sections, plows clear the passing (left) lane first.
• While clearing the left lane, plows throw snow and ice reducing visibility and there may be times when the plow wing is extended into the right lane. Passing a snowplow on the right can be very risky for the driver and the snow plow operator.

Things to know about the Snow Zone

• Blading snow off the road creates a "mini blizzard" next to and behind the snow plow, especially in windy conditions. This is referred to as the Snow Zone.
• It can be difficult to see snow removal equipment within the Snow Zone. Watch for the black and yellow checkerboard, wind scoop, and flashing blue and amber lights – called wig wag lights – on the rear of the snow plow truck. Slow down and drive with caution.
• Snow plows must travel slower than regular traffic when pushing snow and spreading salt and sand. Give the snow plow operator room to do their job.
• Snow plows stop at all railway crossings to ensure it is safe to cross and the plow blade will clear the track.
• Snow plow operators are often out in treacherous weather and road conditions to make the highways as safe as possible for you not to get in your way.
• Every winter, snow plows are hit by motorists that don't see them or see them too late. Most of these collisions are rear‐end collisions and are preventable. Motorists should drive with caution in the snow.

Road Surveillance

Regular road inspections in winter months are conducted to determine the state of a highway, which helps determine the following:

• What maintenance may be needed
• What updates to driving conditions need to be made on our Highway Hotline

How highways are prioritized for snow removal

Highways are prioritized for snow removal and ice treatment based on highway classification and traffic volumes (Annual Average Daily Traffic AADT)

Level 1: The highest priority given to the busiest major highways with greater than 1,500 AADT:

• Examples of highest priority Highways are 1, 7, 10, 11, 16 and 39.
• Snow removal initiated as soon as practical or after three cm of snow accumulated on driving lines.
• Snow plowed and ice treated (or assessed for treatment) within six hours of the end of the storm. Extra time may be needed in extreme circumstances.

Level 2: Highways with AADT between 300 and 1,500:

• Snow plowed and ice treated (or assessed for treatment) from driving lanes within 12 hours of the end of the storm. Extra time may be needed in extreme circumstances.
• Snow removal starts when resources are available without jeopardizing service on Level 1 highways.

Level 3: Highways with an AADT less than 300:

• Snow removal starts as soon as resources available without jeopardizing service on Level 1 or 2 highways.
• Snow plowed and ice treated (or assessed for treatment) within 24 hours of the end of the storm (extra time may be needed in extreme circumstances).

Services during poor visibility

Winter highway maintenance will not begin when visibility is less than 250 m (as defined by Environment Canada). This is determined locally or from a nearby weather station. If equipment is already operating on the road and the visibility is near 250 m or marginally less than 250 m, the operation may continue. If visibility drops to less than 100 m, then equipment will be removed from the road at the nearest safe location.

Only emergency work (protection of others from injury or death) is carried out when visibility is less than 250 m. This work will only be performed to assist emergency personnel and will be performed at the discretion of the District Operations Manager.