ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow Contest returns

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is again asking the public to name its snowplows. 

Back for a second year, ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow Contest gives Arizonans the opportunity to submit creative names for three of the 200 snowplows in ADOT’s fleet at azdot.gov/NameAPlow.

It may be easy to forget for those that live in warmer and drier parts of the state, but Arizona’s high country – places like Flagstaff, along the Mogollon Rim, and southeast Arizona – receive plenty of snow. In fact, last winter, ADOT snowplows logged more than 1.2 million miles. 

“When winter storms hit, our snowplow operators work around the clock to make highway travel safe,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “This contest is a fun way to create awareness about the vital work they do, share some tips for safe driving near snowplows – never pass the plow – and award bragging rights to a few creative Arizonans.”

Here’s how the contest works:

• Dream up as many punny or creative snowplow names with family and friends (or flex those dad-joke muscles yourself) and submit them to azdot.gov/NameAPlow by Jan. 25. There’s no limit on how many times you can enter. You can include your email address in the form so we can contact you if your snowplow name ends up winning. 
• ADOT will review the submissions (yes, all of them) and select 10-15 finalists. The public will then vote for their favorite names.
• The three names that receive the most votes will be placed with a decal on the driver side of the snowplow cab (and those that submitted winning names will get bragging rights).

Last year, the names “Alice Scooper,” “Snowguaro” and “Frost Responder” received the most votes and were contest winners. Arizonans sent in nearly 5,000 snowplow names and cast 7,000 overall votes to determine the winners.

With snow falling in parts of the state, ADOT’s snowplows have already been put to work. Remember, if you encounter “Alice Scooper” or any other snowplows in the wild: 

• Never attempt to pass a snowplow. 
• Stay at least four car-lengths behind snowplows and equipment. Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw salt or sand that can damage your vehicle.
• Slow down and give the plow extra room.

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.