PennDOT starts second-annual Paint the Plow winter safety promotion

(Photo: PennDOT)(Photo: PennDOT)

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has begun its second annual Paint the Plow winter safety promotion campaign in which schools are asked to paint snowplows with a winter safety theme, weather motif or school mascots.

PennDOT’s District 9 is working with schools in five counties (Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon and Somerset) using the theme “Don’t Crowd the Plow.”

The program began last year in Cambria County thanks to County Manager Jeff Mitchell who was inspired by a Facebook post from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

“We are always looking for ways to make the public more aware of safety, and this is a great opportunity to begin that awareness at an age where the students are just beginning to drive themselves,” says PennDOT District Executive Thomas A. Prestash.

PennDOT says the plows will run in areas of the school districts once the students complete the painting work and after they have reviewed by a panel of judges. Plow blades were delivered recently to the participating schools. PennDOT will pick them up by October 7. The agency also plans to hold a “fan favorite” contest on its Facebook page.

“We are excited to begin this expanded project this year as we have 28 schools participating that will be painting 30 plows,” Prestash says. “We hope the program will not only promote winter safety for the department, but will also showcase the creative talents of our local students.”

More details on the program are available by contacting Tara Callahan-Henry at [email protected] or 814-696-7101.