The Ohio Department of Transportation warns drivers to take Friday’s light snowfall seriously.
ODOT Warns Ohio Drivers About Snow Risks
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is urging drivers across the state to prepare for potentially hazardous road conditions on Friday morning, despite forecasts predicting only light snowfall.
According to ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning, the main concern is not the amount of snow, but when the snow falls. He emphasized that even minor snowfall can cause major travel issues when it aligns with peak commuting hours.
Bruning noted that drivers often underestimate lighter snow totals, assuming it poses little risk and therefore failing to adjust their driving behavior. This mindset, he explained, is what makes light snowfall just as dangerous as heavier winter storms.
He added that morning traffic severely limits the ability of snowplows to clear and treat roadways. When plows are stuck behind traffic, their ability to keep roads passable is reduced.
This winter season has already seen 11 ODOT snowplows struck by drivers, compared to zero incidents last December. Bruning stressed that collisions with snowplows can have serious consequences, reminding drivers that passenger vehicles are no match for heavy plow trucks.
While crews have pre-treated major roads, ODOT warns that drivers should not expect perfectly clear pavement. The agency’s goal during active snowfall is to keep roads passable—not perfect—meaning drivers should anticipate slower speeds and allow extra travel time.
Bruning’s final advice to motorists: don’t crowd the plow and never pass it. Maintaining a safe following distance allows plows to do their job effectively and keeps everyone safer on the road.
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