Triggered snowplow driver?

[BrockN]

This happened in early January. If anyone is familiar with the show Highway Thru Hell, this is the bottom of "The Thrasher".

The previous 9 minutes of dashcam video provide context, but I'm not going to waste anyone's time with that. Bottom line, two police officers have told me that I did nothing wrong, as have several knowledgeable friends. Over 40 years of driving without an accident probably suggest the same.

This plow was the third of three doing a touch-up on the hill. He was looking after the third (right) lane. When we got to the bottom of the hill, the road went back to two lanes and the lower elevation meant there wasn't much left to plow. The first two plows are waaaay up ahead and this guy should have just been cruising to the pullout point, just up ahead, because he had little to do at this point.

I went by, limited by the flatbed ahead of me and the concrete barrier on my left. I was past him when he decided to speed up and push into my lane, all the while leaning on his horn. I just concentrated on not flinching. You can see the lane line in a few places.

While it didn't occur to me at the time, looking back now, I think this was intimidation triggered by Cybertruck hate.

I've reported it at three levels. No response yet.

Not too interested in litigating my driving - pretty much impossible to get any of it right without the full video, my driving safety record etc... and regardless, what he did was not necessary or wise.

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[Crissa]

I wouldn't drive past a plow unless there's space to make it fully past, but that's more style and defensiveness.

Doesn't even look like you reacted, by changing speed or anything.

Maybe he was just distracted by watching the cool truck?

-Crissa

 

[shopaholic]

I am glad you’re able to get away from this deranged person - I hope whatever highway authorities in charge should get him off the roads.

 

[BrockN]

I wouldn't drive past a plow unless there's space to make it fully past, but that's more style and defensiveness.

Doesn't even look like you reacted, by changing speed or anything.

Maybe he was just distracted by watching the cool truck?

-Crissa

I made it by him completely - he chose to speed up. So technically, he started to pass on the right.

And you're right - I just concentrated on not doing anything to make a collision my fault. As noted above, he was finished his plowing work as the third lane he was clearing had disappeared...he should have been coasting to the turnaround point just up ahead.

Any reacting was looked after by my wife, who was cursing him out loudly with the blade next to her head! ?

Given he was leaning on his horn, I don't think he was saying "cool truck, let me get a closer look"! ?

 

[REM]

I would send this footage to the state highway patrol, the state agency responsible for dispatching plow trucks, as well as the all the major insurance companies and ask them to run the plates to see if they are insuring that vehicle (that last one will leave a big mark lol).

That truck is a deadly weapon, and the person driving it needs to be in a jail cell. Only a matter of time before he obliterates someone on the road.

Speaking of state highway patrol, I hope you filed an official report with them.

 

[rbalkun]

There was no damage so nobody is going to waste their time or care in the end, just go on with your life and get a latte.

 

[rbalkun]

And some states in the US and some provinces in Canada have made overtaking a snowplow like that illegal…so ?‍

 

[BrockN]

And some states in the US and some provinces in Canada have made overtaking a snowplow like that illegal…so ?‍

Passing on the left is not illegal here...so ?‍

 

[igs]

And some states in the US and some provinces in Canada have made overtaking a snowplow like that illegal…so ?‍

?

https://www.tranbc.ca/2015/11/26/a-winter-reminder-dont-pass-snow-plows-with-flashing-lights/

It's lights were flashing.

 

[BrockN]

The intention is that you not pass into an incoming lane because flying snow and/or active sanding are an issue for visibility and safety. There was no incoming traffic and he is not equipped with a sander.

But let's say this was an issue (in spite of two RCMP members saying it wasn't), does that condone the actions of this driver? And why didn't he do it to any of the other vehicles that had already passed?

By the way, the link you provided is not to the Motor Vehicle Act, which is what specifies traffic laws in the province. MoTI does not have the power to set laws.

 

[Crissa]

But let's say this was an issue (in spite of two RCMP members saying it wasn't), does that condone the actions of this driver? And why didn't he do it to any of the other vehicles that had already passed?

RCMP are not in the end the arbiters of provincial law and may be wrong.

Also, no one (visible to me) said this condones the plow driver's actions.

-Crissa

 

[BrockN]

RCMP are not in the end the arbiters of provincial law and may be wrong.

Who do you think enforces the laws then? Some municipalities have municipal police, but the RCMP look after most towns and every rural highway I have seen. If they aren't aware of a law being broken, they aren't going to ticket you for something MoTI has on their website that isn't stated as being an actual law.

Also, MoTI does not write laws in BC. The Motor Vehicle Act governs.

 

[Crissa]

Who do you think enforces the laws then?

I'm not a Canadian, but I'm pretty sure that's not how the legal system there works. Cops are cops and you hope they know the laws, but they're rarely penalized for violating them let alone knowing them.

-Crissa

 

[rbalkun]

Passing on the left is not illegal here...so ?‍

It’s not just passing on the left, it’s passing a snowplow…just not safe…why places are coming out with laws about it.

 

[CyberTK1]

You don't have my vote. I don't see anything intimidating in the video or a horn.

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