January 4, 2022 3:40 a.m.

With winter weather persisting in many parts of the state, drivers should remember to always pay attention when approaching winter maintenance equipment, and to never pass snow plows on the right.

A release from the Oregon Department of Transportation said plows were operating in all corners of the state on Monday. ODOT said extra care is needed to look out for workers along slippery roads.

Since Christmas Day, there have been 10 crashes across Oregon where drivers struck an ODOT plow.

ODOT said passing on the right is illegal when there is no lane available and the driver does not have a clear view ahead. Many, if not most plows have retractable wind plows that extend eight feet into the right lane and use of the wing plow severely restricts a driver’s view into the right lane. Dual wing plows used on some multi-lane highways also have plow blades that extend off the left side of the truck.

If conditions are severe enough to require a snowplow, the safest place to be is behind the plow. ODOT said while they travel slowly, they do pull over periodically to let drivers pass when it is safe to do so.

Stay up to date on winter road conditions at: www.tripcheck.com