AASHTO Journal - Michigan DOT Seeks ‘Paint the Plow’ Contest Submissions

The Michigan Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for its 2024-2025 “Paint the Plow” program from high school students statewide.

[Above photo by the Michigan DOT]

The agency said this program offers a unique opportunity for Michigan DOT to partner with high school students; tapping into their creativity to communicate safe winter driving practices for all Michigan residents.

In a statement, Michigan DOT said the 2024-2025 “Paint the Plow” program is open to all Michigan high schools, including technical and vocational programs. Submissions will be accepted through May 17 via the agency’s contest website: www.Michigan.gov/PaintThePlow.

Students are invited to submit a creative and original design, reflecting their individual school, while promoting the 2024-2025 contest’s safety theme: “Go hands-free. Just drive. It’s the law.”

That theme reflects passage of new state safety legislation enacted in June 2023 in that has made it illegal to hold and use an electronic device while driving in Michigan.

State departments of transportation across the country host similar snowplow-related contests as a part of winter operation and safe driving outreach efforts.

For example, in February, the Arizona Department of Transportation named the three winners of its second ever “Name-A-Snowplow” contest out of 3,400 entries: “Snowbi-Wan Kenobi,” “Fast and Flurryous,” and “Scoopacabra.”

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet launched a new statewide “Paint the Plow” program in September 2023 to decorate the agency’s snowplow equipment with safe driving messages.

“This program will help us spread safe driving messages for the people working on the road and the people behind the wheel,” explained Jim Gray, KYTC’s secretary. “Practicing these safe habits becomes increasingly important in inclement weather, especially during our snow and ice season, to ensure everyone returns home at the end of the day.”

And the North Dakota and South Dakota Departments of Transportation use such contests as a “fun, yet purposeful, way to interact with the public” to encourage usage of vital winter weather information resources and safe driving practices.