Advice For Snow Plow Haters in Montana. You Need to Chill Out!

Much of Montana is experiencing its first major snowstorm of the season, and people are already taking to social media to complain about the lack of snow plow drivers on the road. Winters in Montana can be extremely harsh, and the state is currently dealing with a shortage of snow plow drivers.

I don't usually let things get to me, but seeing all of the complaints about snow plow drivers on Facebook this morning really got under my skin. Let's be honest, most of the complaints are probably coming from out-of-staters that don't know how to handle being inconvenienced. Snow plow drivers are doing the best that they can, and instead of criticizing them, we need to be grateful for them and show our appreciation for the work that they do. Being a snow plow driver is arguably one of the most difficult jobs in Montana.

Get our free mobile app

In Gallatin County alone, snow plow drivers maintain over 1,000 miles of roads. If they haven't reached your neighborhood street yet, don't take it personally. Interstates and roads that have the highest volume of traffic are cleared first, and sometimes resources are stretched beyond available limits. The Montana Department of Transportation plows state highways and interstates, and cities and towns in the state are responsible for plowing their own streets.

I commute from Manhattan to Bozeman every day for work. The drive is approximately 20 miles one way. This morning, I saw two snow plows on I-90. Drivers are working hard to clear roads and make them safe for drivers, but they can't be everywhere at once. If you're not satisfied with the job they're doing, feel free to apply for a job. I'm sure they would appreciate the extra help.