Taylor driver ‘forced’ to move into oncoming traffic to avoid collision questions snow plow policy

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Taylor driver is raising concerns about a district policy that sees plows clearing snow against the flow of traffic. 

During the January 19th council meeting, council met with Tues-Day Broomfield, a resident who wrote to the district about an interaction with a snow plow on a secondary highway. 

According to Broomfield, the incident occurred on December 10th, during a “heavy snowstorm with severely reduced visibility.”

Broomfield explained she was driving, turning onto Cherry Avenue “near the old mill,” when she saw headlights approaching her in her lane.

“I slowed significantly to ensure what I was seeing was accurate, the vehicle continued approaching without moving over, I reduced my speed to a near stop and activated my four-way flashers, yet the vehicle still did not adjust,” Broomfield said. 

“I was ultimately forced to move into the oncoming lane to avoid a collision.”

Broomfield explained she contacted the district after the incident, and was later contacted by Ryan Galay, Taylor’s chief operating officer, who told her it was “district policy for plows to operate on the opposite side of the road.” 

“I expressed my concern that this policy places motorists in danger, specifically asking whether I would be at fault if I were struck head-on while being forced into oncoming traffic due to this practice,” Broomfield said. 

“I was advised that such a situation would be an ICBC matter.”

During the January 19th council meeting, Mayor Brent Taillefer acknowledged Broomfield’s concerns and explained that while it is not a common practice “out in the world,” on secondary highways within the district it is done to conserve time.

“[The plows] move all the snow to one side [of the road], because of where the ditches are…when the melt happens, we try to keep as much [snow and ice] out of that ditch, because it flows so fast there, and if it plugs up, it floods the road,” Taillefer said. 

Broomfield explained she understood the reasoning, and Taillefer commented it would be a good topic to bring into safety meetings in the future. 

“It’s not really worth the time to save a trip [if it puts] safety at risk,” Taillefer said. 

As the concerns were brought before council as a letter and a delegation, no decisions were made by council.

Changes to policies dictating snow clearing activities would require a report and proposal from staff to be presented to council, where it would be discussed and voted upon.