Knights of the Night: How KDOT heroes help clear the roads after dark

By Ashley Perez
North Central Kansas
Public Affairs Manager

KDOT workers say that clearing the highways is rewarding, but the job can be dangerous.

Some crew members spend late nights during a snow storm driving defensively and hoping that nobody is about to pass them as they come up on a big snowdrift. They also must be able use their lights to try to see the edge of the road underneath all the snow.  

We  spoke to several KDOT workers to get more insight on working a snowstorm at night and even got a few suggestions from them for motorists so everyone can be equipped with the knowledge of how to travel safer this winter, here is a what they have to say:

Our crews not only battle colder temperatures, but also lower visibility at night. 

Low visibility:

“You have to work twice as hard at night because you don’t have the sun’s warmth to help thaw out the snow,” said Richard Adams, Equipment Operator in Minneapolis.

“Visibility at night is already low as the snow reflected off plow lights can be blinding, and when vehicles pass us and throw more snow in the air it is even harder to see where we are going,” said Max Bell, Shop Supervisor in Salina. “So we ask that you please avoid passing us and keep a safe distance.”

Damaged plows take important equipment off the roads for a long period of time,
please remember to give our crews room and time to work. 

Don’t crowd the plow

“We would like to remind motorists that although it may seem safer for traffic to follow right behind a plow truck, please keep your distance. It can be dangerous when vehicles follow too closely, because if we have to come to a sudden stop or slow down due to snow, they’ll hit us.  Not only do we have to pay attention to what we’re doing but also to them,” said David Bergman, Equipment Operator Specialist in Minneapolis.

The subarea crew in Beloit says this puts a damper on them when a truck is down due to being hit, and it take much longer to treat roads with less trucks.

If you’re stranded, stay in your car until help arrives

Brett Kuntz, Equipment Operator Senior in Abilene, would like to remind motorists how critical it is that they stay in their car and turn on their hazards or lights if they are stranded on the side of the road.

“This is important because we can’t see you until we get right up on you. ” said Kuntz.

Dennis Senters, Equipment Operator Senior in Beloit, also said to stay in your car if you are on the side of the road and added that it helps to yell because they try to listen when they come by as they often drive with the windows down in a cold cab to keep the windshield from fogging up and the snow from sticking.

“Wave a flashlight or flash dome light to help flag us down if you are on the side of a road,” says Brett Wildfong, Equipment Operator Specialist in Beloit.

Slow down, give us room

Jason Britt, Equipment Operator Specialist in Junction City would like to urge motorists to slow down and give them room. He says, “Although there’s less traffic at night, it’s also more dangerous as the temperatures drop. It’s scary to see cars spin out right in front of me and unfortunately, I’ve been hit twice in a truck.”

For some, such as Doug Newquist, Highway Supervisor in Beloit, working at night isn’t really a nightmare at all but rather an opportunity to be the community’s unsung hero. He says, “I will never forget when one journalist called us the “knights of the night” which couldn’t be more true because when we are out there we are able to check on motorists who may be stranded and in need of help when no one else is able to get to them, it’s very rewarding.” Like Doug, KDOT workers are ready to help you get to your destination safely this winter.