9 crashes involving snowplows in 2 days

State transportation officials say this week's snowstorm resulted in nine accidents involving state snowplows.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says four of the accidents were in the Twin Cities metro, and most of the rest were in southeast Minnesota. MnDoT Spokesman Kevin Gutnecht said any incidents involving plows are too many.

"It is unusual, but it was a long snowstorm, too," Gutnecht said.

Snow started Sunday and fell for nearly two days. Gutnecht said most of the crashes during the storm were minor, and none resulted in serious injury, although some involved significant property damage.

MnDot said drivers need to give plows extra room, at least five car lengths from the back of the truck, because of the clouds of snow that plows make and the poor visibility they produce. Plows also turn and exit more frequently than regular traffic, and occasionally cross centerlines as they pass.

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