Pickup Plows Into Wyoming Highway Plow Truck In Ten Sleep Canyon

A Ford Ranger plowed into a Wyoming Department of Transportation plow truck in Wyoming’s Ten Sleep Canyon on Thursday afternoon in a true David vs. Goliath showdown won decisively by the huge industrial plow. 

There were no injuries, and while the Ranger’s front end was damaged, the plow truck emerged undamaged.That could be because both vehicles weren’t moving very fast when they collided.

“The plow was barely moving, and the Ford Ranger was barely moving when it happened,” said WYDOT spokesman Cody Beers. “Probably less than 5 mph. The road was slick since we had fresh snow, and the Ranger basically slid across the road and into the front of the plow.”

While the Ranger was much worse for wear, the plow truck continued clearing U.S. Highway 16 with the same blade the Ranger plowed into after the incident. It was an accident with a fortunate outcome despite the damage to the smaller truck.

Beers cited the incident as a reminder that Wyoming drivers shouldn’t take their chances with plow trucks. There hasn’t been much winter in Wyoming yet, but plow trucks will be more active once the weather gets here — and it will get here.  

“Plows are big,” he said. “They're full iron, and there's no give in a plow or a plow truck. Is it worth crashing to pass a snowplow to make up five minutes on your trip? I would say no.”

To Grandmother’s House We Go

While there hasn’t been much winter weather in Wyoming’s lower elevations, plenty of snow has been falling in the high elevations. WYDOT’s plow trucks regularly clear the state’s mountain passes as each snowy system passes over.

“We've got a decent amount of snow on Togwotee and Powder River passes and plow those routes several times a day,” Beers said. “We haven’t had much winter this year, but we’ve been getting precipitation up higher, and we’re starting to get temperatures around and below zero.

The lack of winter weather in the lower elevations might lull Wyomingites into a false sense of security when driving. Plow trucks haven’t been actively clearing corridors like I-80 and I-25 for most of December because there hasn’t been much snow, but there’s been plenty to clear higher up.

Beers hopes Wyomingites are anticipating winter weather during their travels. With another holiday week upon us, it’s essential to check the weather conditions along their route, especially if they go up and over the mountains.  

“If you’re heading to Cheyenne or Evanston, going to Utah or anywhere else, just know that you’re going to get some winter weather at some point,” he said. “If you've got to drive over a pass or through a valley – to grandmother's house we go – you should always monitor those road conditions.”

Plan And Prepare

WYDOT provides many resources for checking road and weather conditions, such as the 511 app, the Wyoming Travel Information Map, and multiple webcams.

The worst of winter is yet to come, and the first months of 2025 are expected to be much colder and snowier in Wyoming. Beers is taking every opportunity to remind Wyomingites to use the resources available to ensure their safety.

“At this time of year, you're always rolling the dice when you go on a trip,” he said. “It may be fine as you're heading to Grandma's house, but you might encounter some weather when you start back home. If you've got a long drive ahead at this time of year, and we would consider any drive in Wyoming as a longer drive, be prepared for what you may encounter.”

Preparation should start before departure. In addition to checking road conditions, Wyomingites should ensure their vehicles are sufficiently winterized.

“Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with good tires and that you’ve got air in those tires,” he said. “Check your oil and ensure you've got winter survival supplies, like warm clothes, sleeping bags, and water. All the things that you would need to survive if something happened out there on our highways.”

And, if someone’s vehicle does get stuck on a highway, Beers said the last thing they should do is leave it. Even if they believe they can walk a mile or two to get assistance, low temperatures and a subzero windchill will make that trek needlessly dangerous.

“The best survival tip I can provide is to stay with your vehicle this time of year, even if it's dry out there,” he said. “It may be a short walk, but you might not make it. Stay with your vehicle, plan your trips, and adjust your travel plans.”

Plow Etiquette

When it really starts snowing in Wyoming, WYDOT’s plow trucks will be clearing highways as quickly as possible. However, drivers who do not pay proper attention to the road will find themselves plowing into a plow truck.

Collisions with plow trucks can cause tremendous logistical issues for WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. If a driver sees a snow cloud hurtling towards them, they should anticipate the snowplow creating it.

“Those snowplows throw up a cloud of snow, much like you'd encounter if you drove into pea soup fog,” he said. “If you see a snowplow coming, slow down and don’t make unnecessary movements with your steering. Keep it straight and tight, and realize you'll lose vision for a few seconds.”

When driving through a snowstorm, the safest place to be is behind a snowplow, even if it means moving at a slower speed. However, Beers said plow truck drivers usually accommodate the drivers behind them.

“Our guys are running between 35 and 50 mph, but they will allow you to pass when it's safe to do so,” he said. “If you're impatient and try to pass, you take a chance. It's very difficult to see past the front of a snowplow to oncoming traffic.”

Beers added that Wyomingites should never attempt to pass on the right side of a snowplow. Many WYDOT plow trucks have wing plows on their right sides, which aren’t visible to drivers coming up from behind on a multi-lane highway.

The key to plow truck etiquette is to take precautions and let the trucks do their jobs. The risks are rarely worth it, and they interfere with WYDOT’s goal of clearing the roads as quickly and safely as possible.

“I'd rather be safe than sorry anytime, anywhere,” Beers said. “It's not worth crashing or taking your life or those of your family, your kids, your grandkids in the back seat. Take care of your family, be safe, slow down, and give the plows plenty of room to operate.”

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.