County snow plow drivers: Don’t get too close

As snow continues to pile on the Pikes Peak Region, snow plows across El Paso County are out in force.

Sometimes their jobs are risky.

Siobain McClure, a county plow driver of two years, says she's constantly watching drivers who are too close or speeding by.

"They just don't pay attention to us. And, if they're right next to us in our blind spot, we can't see them. If they're right behind us on our tail, we can't see them," she says.

Her job requires extreme multitasking. She's always watching the direction of her plow, which way to point the snow, the sander and chemicals.

As if maneuvering those techniques isn't enough, she says drivers don't always "bow to the plow."

"People not paying attention, or people going too fast or too slow, people just not driving for winter conditions."

Kevin Mastin, Deputy Director for El Paso County Department of Public Works, says some drivers think hovering a plow on the road makes them safer.

"People think that getting close to plows is a safe place to be because the road is clear, but it's really not. The visibility around the plow can decrease."

For plow operators like McClure and those across Colorado, constant vigilance becomes a part of the job.

They hope drivers remember they can do their job better and safer and if drivers follow the law.