With winter comes snow, with snow, comes snowplows, with snowplows, comes the knowledge needed to commute and share the roads safely. 

Snowplows are frequently out on the roads throughout the winter months. However, some drivers may still be unaware of the dangers that surround them. 

"The most important thing to remember is that snowplows need to be treated just like any other emergency vehicles, and that includes tow trucks. It requires the driver to slow down to 60 when passing any highway equipment that stops on the highway with its lights activated. This is certainly for the driver's safety and the safety of the operator. While it's legal to pass a snowplow that's in operation, it can be extremely dangerous, so we recommend that people wait until the snowplow pulls over and that's every 10-15 km," said Steve Shaheem, Senior Communications Consultant with The Ministry of Highways.

If the plow is operational, drivers are allowed to pass, but that, in turn, may put additional risk into play if the conditions are bad.

"If a snowplow is working ahead of you, why would you risk it? Especially if the conditions aren't that good, let them plow ahead to whatever destination you're trying to get to."

Snowplows can be out at any time, day or night and use priority routes.

"Certainly the priority areas are the heaviest volume traffic areas  Highways 1, 7, 10, 11 16, 5 and 39. Then they move into the second level, which is roads with between 300 and 1,500 cars per day. Finally, the lesser used volume roads with are traffic under 300 cars per day are the third level priority.

Snowplows help ensure the roads are safe and available for drivers throughout winter, so the Ministry of Highways is asking drivers be safe around them.