In recent years, cities and states nationwide have introduced naming contests for snowplows and other winter vehicles to add some fun to stressful storms, promote safe driving, and highlight the work of emergency response crews. The Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesperson, Josh Morgan, explained that hosting such contests is a lighthearted way to engage with residents and commuters while emphasizing safety on the roads. Connecticut has been running naming contests for its residents for three years, with last year’s contest involving 40 local schools to educate children on safe interactions with plows. Winning names like SnowBob Plowpants, Up2 Snow Good, and Fast & Flurryous have been chosen, and this year’s winners will be announced soon.
The tradition of naming snowplows isn’t limited to the United States; it originated in Scotland with a 2006 contest among school children. Transport Scotland officially launched a national contest in 2016 to draw attention to the “Gritter Tracker” that monitors plow progress and treated roads. Scotland’s fleet of 240 Gritters now boasts creatively named vehicles chosen by citizens through contests, such as Mr. Snow-it-all, Salt Shaker, Carrie Bradthaw, and Sled Zepplin. Similar naming contests have been adopted by U.S. municipalities, like Arlington County in Virginia, to raise awareness of the hard work done by emergency response crews and contractors operating the plows.
Numerous states in the U.S., including Alaska, Nevada, Minnesota, and others, have embraced the naming trend for their snowplows. Some of the winning names from these contests include Plowy McPlowface, CTRL-SALT-DEL, Yer a Blizzard Harry, and Fast and Flurrious. These contests serve as a fun way for residents to engage with the plows that clear their streets and bring awareness to the essential work done by these crews.
In the realm of winter maintenance, it turns out that your local snowplow might just be more than a machine – it could have a name. The tradition of naming snowplows has been gaining popularity in communities across the nation, adding a touch of personality to these hardworking vehicles. So, next time you see a snowplow clearing the roads, remember that it might be more than just a piece of equipment – it could be a beloved member of the community with its very own identity.
