Exclusive Insight: A Day in the Life of a Champaign County Snow Plow Driver

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Snow plow operators faced a hectic Sunday across Central Illinois as they battled the aftermath of a significant snowstorm.

“Oh, it’s been kind of crazy,” remarked Ryan Millikan, who owns Urbana’s Millikan Masonry.

In response to the snowstorm, which saw Illinois State Police attending to over 250 accidents in Central Illinois, plow drivers have been tirelessly working to keep streets and parking areas navigable. Millikan noted the demanding nature of the work, which often results in very little rest.

“During heavy snowfalls like this, I sometimes only manage to sleep about two hours a night, if that,” he shared.

In the winter, Millikan is one of the drivers behind the wheel. He said that his day starts before snow even falls.

“We’ll come out right before the storm, and we’ll pre-treat the lot, so that it heats the ground up. When we do come back and plow it, it cleans it up real nice,” he said.

Millikan added that getting the roads and parking lots cleared takes us all.

“There’s a lot of people out on the roads that probably shouldn’t be,” he shared.

Millikan said that he often notices people out and about, then leaving their cars parked in places they shouldn’t be. That poses an extra challenge for him.

“I can’t get around them, and then if they get stuck in front of me, then I’m late to get my job done for my customer,” he said. “I’m worried about parking blocks. I’m worried about clipping a car, a building, anything that can come close to the blade, it gets pretty difficult sometimes.”

However, Millikan said that those aren’t the only obstacles. The temperature itself can cause visibility issues in the plow.

“In weather like this, the windshield wipers, and the windshield freezes up on you all the time. You have to constantly spray deicer on the windshields and on the blades.”

Looking out for people, vehicles, bridges, and obstructions, while also driving and operating the plow is all in the day’s work for keeping the roads safe and clear for the community.

“The best thing to do is just stay home so that everybody can get everything cleaned up,” Millikan shared.

He also said that if you do find yourself on the road, and behind a snow plow, make sure you give them plenty of room. That’s to keep you and the snow plow drivers safe.