 Snowplow drivers across the state started their shift this morning battling an early morning winter storm Reporter Cheryl Moore joined a driver on their route and shows us what it's like behind the wheel of a snowplow truck While most people are still in bed the Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplow drivers are starting their day Getting the roads ready for early morning commuters. A lot of people don't realize that we're actually out there sometimes that One in the morning two in the morning three in the morning we start Most people think oh just because the road isn't cleaned up right away. We haven't been out there yet Or like for example today, I mean we've been out there since three and some of the roads still look like Nobody's been over them yet. Every day is different for a snowplow driver Sometimes you deal with rain ice wind or even a combination of elements this morning Storm proved difficult because the snow wouldn't stop coming down I don't know if it's the most difficult but the most frustrating is when it just keeps snowing and snowing snowing It just seems like you can't get ahead of it And then you just plowing and plowing and just it seems like it just never ends and you can never catch up The snow plowers work in two different shifts one in the early early morning and then one in the late afternoon So that would the roads are constantly getting plowed What some people may not know is that it takes a lot of multitasking to be a snowplow driver You have to look out for the other cars on the road Then you also have to look out for the mailboxes on the side of the street. There's a lot of hazards I mean, there's number one is the traffic you got to watch out for them because they'll pull up right behind you if you're backing up to clean A crossover intersection You got to make sure you don't go too far to the edge of the road. You'll go in the ditch At all different times of the day There are around 8 to 12 snowplow drivers on the roads and that's just in the Bemidji area That means you're bound to see one drivers should remember to be patient and stay alert if we're plowing and there's a snow Cloud behind us usually we we try to slow down so that they can get you know They can get by us like on the four lane or sometimes we pull over on the shoulder so they can go by Because a lot of people will try to pass you and that's when accidents happen because we we won't see them until right They're right next to us reporting of Bemidji show more like the news and you can check out other video and pictures from Mndats no plows on their website with a link on our website lptv.org If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS