With the brunt of winter ahead, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is reminding motorists to drive safely, and stay clear of the "snow zone".

    Southern Region Preservation Engineer David Stearns says when plows are in operation, they often cause "mini-blizzards" in the back and sides of the plows, significantly reducing visibility and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.

    Stearns says some safety features are being rolled out on the Ministry's 300 plows, including a new high-visibility rear checkerboard sign, kept clear with a wind scoop mounted on the vehicle's endgate. Also the elevation of the "wig-wag" lights on the back of the truck and amber rotary lights have been raised.

    Last winter, there were three collisions involving provincial snow plows, including a fatal collision near Maple Creek last February where a vehicle ran into a semi-truck that slowed for a plow, and a collision with a plow on the North Service Road in Swift Current in that same month.