ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Voting opened Monday for the state Transportation’s Paint the Plow program, featuring student artists from across the commonwealth, including the Lehigh Valley.
An annual statewide effort, the Paint the Plow program is aimed at highlighting safe winter driving while showcasing students artists.
This year’s theme, “Don’t race. Allow some space,” is about encouraging drivers to keep a safe distance from plows, as well as other vehicles, during winter weather, according to a Monday news release.
Voting, through a form on PennDOT’s website, is open through Sunday. Officials said winners will be announced later this month.
A wintry forest scene, snail race
Fifteen snow plow blades have been painted for the contest by students in the agency’s fifth district, which includes Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Carbon and Monroe counties.
Valley schools to participate include Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and Nazareth High School.
The former’s blade features a snowy winter forest scene, complete with a deer silhouette and tire tracks, illustrating a vehicle sliding across the roadway.
The latter shows three towering snails against the backdrop of a city street, racing towards a pineapple under a dark sky with bright yellow stars.
Participation is limited to one vote per person per district, officials said.
The plow with the most votes in each district will earn the title of "Fan Favorite." PennDOT staff will also select a "Judges' Pick" based on creativity, theme execution and overall appearance.PennDOT
The plow with the most votes in each district will earn the title of "Fan Favorite,” according to the release. PennDOT staff also will select a "Judges' Pick" based on creativity, theme execution and overall appearance.
In addition to those from the Valley, competing schools include: Pocono Mountain East, Pleasant Valley, Palmerton Area, Oley Valley, Muhlenberg, Kutztown Area l, Jim Thorpe Area and Brandywine Heights high schools.
Also, the BHA Pride Program, BHA NOVA Program, BHA NOVA Program at River Ridge Academy, BHA Journey Program and BHA ISST Program.
Preliminary data from last winter shows that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways, according to PennDOT.
Eleven of the people who died weren’t wearing a seat belt, while 17 of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane.
Got to PennDot’s website for safety tips about driving in winter weather.
