With December 1 recognized nationwide as National Snowplow Day, Door County is officially settling into another long Wisconsin winter. As the first significant snowfalls begin to blanket the peninsula, Highway Engineer Joe Zellmer is reminding residents that safe travel during the winter months depends on cooperation, patience, and understanding of how snowplow operations work.

Zellmer says the number one winter driving tip he wishes more people remembered is simple but often ignored, giving snowplows plenty of room. People underestimate how much space plows need to maneuver, he noted. They’re out there clearing the way for everyone, but drivers need to stay back so they can do the job safely. In Door County, where narrow rural roads, rolling terrain, and strong winds off Green Bay and Lake Michigan can quickly create drifting snow, space and visibility are especially important. Zellmer encourages residents to be patient as Door County crews prioritize main highways before secondary roads, so rural areas may take longer to clear.

Snowplows can create “snow clouds” that momentarily obscure visibility for surrounding drivers. For that reason, Zellmer says residents should never pass a working plow, even if it feels slow. Plows travel at reduced speeds to ensure proper clearing and salting, and passing them can lead to collisions, ditch slides, or fender damage from thrown ice.

Snowplow etiquette, according to Zellmer, includes staying at least 200 feet behind a plow to avoid snow spray and give operators room to operate. Keeping headlights on to help plow drivers see approaching cars. Do not push snow into the roadway when clearing driveways, a common problem in Door County that creates hazards for other drivers and extra work for highway crews.

For drivers who end up with mechanical issues or a disabled vehicle in snowy conditions, Zellmer urges caution. Stay in your vehicle if at all possible and if visibility is poor, turn on hazard lights, and call for help. If you must exit the vehicle, move well away from the roadway, especially on winding roads like County Highways A, B, and Q, where sightlines can be short.

With the season just beginning, Zellmer hopes residents will take a few extra moments to drive safely and respect the crews keeping Door County’s roads open all winter long.