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12 ODOT snow plows struck by vehicles in first 19 days of 2024

For the tenth time this year, an ODOT snow plow was struck by a driver, this time on I-71 in Medina County, according to an ODOT official.

By: Ian Cross

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For the tenth time this year, an ODOT snow plow was struck by a driver, this time on I-71 in Medina County, according to an ODOT official. Two more plows were struck later in the day Friday, bringing the total to 12 struck in the first 19 days of 2024.

A box truck tried to pass an ODOT plow on the left and clipped the plow blade Friday morning, according to ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning. He said damage was relatively minor, but the plow was taken out of service.

According to Bruning, this was the tenth ODOT snow plow to be hit by a driver in Ohio so far in 2024. Several of those incidents occurred in Northeast Ohio, including:

A suspected distracted driver in an SUV clipped the front of a stationary snow plow on I-90 near the West 118^th Street exit on Jan. 10.
RELATED: ODOT releases video of SUV hitting snow plow truck

ODOT releases video of SUV hitting snow plow truck

On Jan. 16, a pickup truck tried to pass a plow in the left-most lane on I-480 on the left side, clipping the plow and nearly losing control.
RELATED: Another ODOT truck hit by careless motorist

Another ODOT plow truck hit

“Folks, I can't stress this enough: Pay attention and give our crews room to work. There is NO reason for anyone to be hitting snowplows,” Bruning said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Later in the day Friday, Bruning confirmed two more plows were struck by vehicles in Ohio, bringing the total so far this year to 12.

The 11th plow was struck by a vehicle that pulled in front of it in Madison County:

And we have one more...

But wait, there's more. Waiting for details about a 12th plow hit too. Hope to have more on that later this afternoon. Please, give us room to work and pay attention! https://t.co/6jbwcPnnlc
— Matt Bruning (@mbruning81) January 19, 2024

As of Friday evening, Bruning was still waiting on details about the 12th plow struck.

I just can't believe we're at this figure 19 days into the year. Slow down. Pay attention. Don't crowd the plow. pic.twitter.com/rECsxQ50VU
— Matt Bruning (@mbruning81) January 19, 2024