PIERRE, S.D. – A special kind of rodeo has been taking place throughout the state. The annual ‘Snowfighter Roadeo’ provides South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) teams with an opportunity to share experiences, techniques, and best practices with counterparts in other units.
It’s an educational competition for the state’s DOT snowplow drivers and according to one driver, Highway Maintenance Supervisor Dave Jennings, Huron, the event just makes them better at what they do.
For more than 25 years, the orange cones have been set up around this time of year and the snow plows are brought out for an event that is one-third competition, one-third education and one-third reunion for snow plow drivers statewide. Drivers from all four DOT regions compete.
“Winter is not too far away, unfortunately,” observed DOT Director of Operations Craig Smith.
Driving a plow isn’t just getting behind the wheel and driving in any direction. South Dakota highways are filled with twists and turns and plenty of curves, including switchbacks and round-abouts. Add ice, snow, wind and low visibility and it’s a challenge.
This most definitely isn’t Jennings’s first rodeo. He told Dakota News Now he likes the challenge the event provides.
“This is my 12th rodeo with the DOT. I’ve been to quite a few of them,” said Jennings. “Just kind of helps us be better at what we do,” said Jennings.
Ideally, plow drivers can complete the course in under eight minutes. Jennings said it doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s not so much about time as it is about doing the job safely.
“It’s a good chance for everybody to get together and kind of share some of their ideas, bounce different things off of each other,” said Jennings.
Smith added, “It does have some obstacles that can really show off those skills whether it’s backing or maybe some precision turning.
Highway maintenance workers weren’t just preparing for winter on the obstacle course. They were also doing breakout sessions for equipment and safety training.
“It’s kind of that time of year. You start having these cool mornings. We know winter and snow isn’t too far away,” Smith said.
The top five scoring drivers from each region competed in Pierre, S.D., recently and it’s not just bragging rights that are on the line.
“The three top finishers in Pierre, like any good rodeo, they get a belt buckle,” said Smith.
Jennings said the best-case scenario for this winter is that there’s no measurable snowfall, but of course, you can’t count on that.
