COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On a wet and cold day like today, it wasn’t too difficult to come to the realization winter is around the corner.
The elements didn’t keep road crews from spending the day making sure they’re ready when the white stuff begins to fall.
While Franklin County officials said the county’s 25 trucks are ready to go, they're making sure the men and women who drive them are prepared as ever for whatever situation they may find themselves in while on the roads.
Like a football team in the preseason, after months of undergoing repairs and maintenance, Franklin County snow plows are in pristine shape.
The men and women who drive those plows spent Thursday honing in their skills to make sure they’re ready when their snowy and icy opponent shows up.
“It’s kind of like our beginning for winter weather,” Franklin County Highway Maintenance Superintendent Tom Nutini said.
More than 100 drivers with the Franklin County engineer’s office and municipalities across Central Ohio took part in the county’s annual snow rodeo.
Plow drivers were challenged with and judged on skills tests -- everything from avoiding mailboxes to simulated parked cars.
“We've got a lot of unique obstacles we've put together over the years that they have to maneuver through,” Nutini said.
From the ground it doesn't look too difficult. It’s a different story behind the wheel, though.
“If you're used to it, you can get through it,” Mary Burks said.
Burks is in her eighth year of driving a plow for Franklin County.
“In the winter time, there's a lot of different obstacles we have to go through. People don't watch where they're going. They'll pull out in front of us, and we have plows on and it can be hard,” Burks said.
Drivers also must demonstrate how to properly inspect a truck before they go out on their route.
Throw in a written test, and Nutini said these drivers are as ready as they’ll ever be.
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