Fifty Snow Plows Struck By Bad Iowa Drivers This Winter

Iowa nice apparently doesn't apply to our winter driving habits.

With plenty of freezing rain, strong gusting winds and heavy amounts of snowfall, there's no denying it's been a very rough winter.

Driving conditions have been challenging all season long. At times, Iowa's roads and highways have been shut down due to blizzard-like conditions, and on several occasions it was impossible to safely travel at all.

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Motor vehicle accidents in bad weather are inevitable, and for the most part, are expected. But the number of accidents involving snow plows and other official Iowa DOT vehicles is embarrassing.

On Wednesday, an Iowa DOT worker survived a grisly auto accident that was caused by a distracted driver.

This week, the Iowa Department of Transportation issued an astonishing report showing a combined total of 63 DOT vehicles have been struck by careless motorists this winter.

Add up the tally and you'll see that fifty snow plows were struck by bad Iowa drivers. In January alone, a total of 22 Iowa DOT snow plows were struck along with 4 other official vehicles.

It's true that sometimes accidents cannot be avoided no matter how cautious one may be driving. Slippery highways and overpasses are often unforgiving. And when motorists travel too fast for conditions, bad things happen.

The Iowa DOT posted reminders on their social media sites that every vehicle taken out of commission by a careless driver is one less vehicle able to assist in times of snow emergencies. Their best advice? Give the DOT drivers plenty of room and don't crowd the plow.