One split-second decision on a snowy road can change everything—and that’s exactly why Hudson police are speaking out. After a recent crash involving a passenger vehicle and a snowplow, local authorities are urging drivers to rethink a common winter driving habit that many people underestimate: trying to pass a working snowplow. But here’s where it gets controversial—while passing a snowplow is sometimes legal, it may also be one of the riskiest moves you can make during winter conditions.
Following a collision that occurred Friday morning in Hudson, Wisconsin, the Hudson Police Department issued a clear and timely safety reminder to the public: do not attempt to pass snowplows when they are actively clearing roads. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident, but police say the outcome could easily have been much worse.
According to Hudson police, snowplows are not just ordinary trucks. They are extremely large, heavy vehicles that often operate in harsh, low-visibility environments. Their job requires them to move slowly, take up more road space than expected, and react quickly to changing road conditions. All of these factors combine to make passing them especially dangerous—something many drivers fail to fully appreciate.
To help drivers better understand the risks, police emphasized several critical safety points:
- Snowplows frequently kick up massive clouds of snow, which can instantly reduce visibility to near zero. Drivers attempting to pass may be temporarily blinded, increasing the likelihood of a collision.
- The plow blades extend well beyond the width of the truck itself. This means a driver may think they have enough room to pass, only to clip the blade.
- Snowplows may stop suddenly, turn without much warning, or shift lanes unexpectedly as they respond to road conditions and obstacles.
- The safest position for any vehicle is far behind the snowplow—never alongside it. Being next to a plow leaves no margin for error.
And this is the part most people miss: just because something is legal doesn’t always mean it’s safe. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) confirms that drivers are legally allowed to pass a snowplow. However, they strongly caution against it unless extreme care is taken. Visibility is often severely limited due to blowing snow, and many plows are equipped with wing blades that can extend up to 10 feet beyond the truck’s width. Each winter season, WisDOT reports numerous incidents where these wing blades are struck by vehicles attempting to pass.
There is also a legal boundary drivers should know. In Wisconsin, it is illegal to follow a working snowplow closer than 200 feet on highways with posted speed limits above 35 miles per hour when the plow is actively removing snow or ice. This rule exists to protect both drivers and snowplow operators.
So here’s the question that sparks debate: Should passing snowplows be legal at all, given the clear and repeated dangers? Some argue that patient driving saves lives, while others believe experienced drivers should be trusted to judge for themselves. Where do you stand?
Winter driving already demands extra caution, and snowplows are on the road to make conditions safer for everyone. Slowing down, keeping your distance, and resisting the urge to pass could be the simplest decision that prevents a serious accident. What’s your take—have you ever felt tempted to pass a snowplow, or do you always stay back? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
