With winter approaching, the State Highway Administration is preparing for its snow-and ice-removal programs. Philip Burch of Mechanicsville is the state?s top plow driver, winner of the 2007 Snow “Road-eo” competition and a seven-year veteran with SHA. The Examiner interviewed Burch about his experiences.
Is it stressful having to drive in the snow and ice and dealing with traffic?
You take your time. If you feel you need rest, you pull over and call in relief. But me, I feel comfortable in a plow.
The toughest thing I face is ice. Trying to stop a 30,000-pound truck from sliding can really rattle your nerves, especially when you have people out there driving around it. It can be daunting.
What was the scariest moment you faced driving a plow?
We don?t like to talk about things, and brag about getting out of scary situations.
What is life like for a plow driver during a storm?
During long storms, you?re working 12-hour shifts for four to five days. You?re sleeping on cots and living off bagels. It?s nothing like home.
What advice do you give to drivers who venture out in the snow?
The best thing is for people to stay home if they don?t really need to be out. We?re trying to do our jobs to make the roads safe for you. When we?re doing a plow train down the highway, cars will weave in and out, then we see them fishtail. Stay behind the plow.
So why do you do it?
I have experience operating heavy equipment, so I?m used to driving trucks like this. But it?s something when you see that rooster tail of snow coming off the plow ? it?s a thrill.
