UDOT snowplow driver resigns

The driver of a snowplow that damaged 15 to 20 cars Tuesday afternoon after pushing snow over the North Temple viaduct has resigned, the Utah Department of Transportation said Thursday.

UDOT spokesman Nile Easton said it was unclear why the driver resigned. The driver had been on the job four months.

Easton said that UDOT has specific regulations about how fast snowplow operators can drive. Before being cleared to drive a UDOT snowplow, an operator must obtain a commercial driver license and then go through training. Easton said he was unaware of any incidents involving a snowplow driver where significant property was damaged.

Tuesday's incident happened because the snowplow driver was going too fast, Easton said. No injuries were reported. A second plow operator was behind the driver who caused the damage and reported that he had a difficult time following the driver because of his speed, Easton said.

UDOT had no further details about the incident.

In response to complaints that operators push drivers off of the road when plowing, Easton said he recommends that people do not try to pass a snowplow, which can have a blade as wide as 18 feet across. Instead, motorists should travel behind the snowplow, he said.

"When you've got cars weaving in and out, it makes it very difficult," Easton said. "We're really asking people to give these plows a lot of space."

UDOT is still investigating Tuesday's incident and plans to reimburse all drivers whose cars were damaged.