The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) unveils the winners of its second Name-A-Snowplow Contest. In a relentless display of creativity, residents churned out more than 3,400 icy puns before landing on the coolest of them all. The plows now brandish the names "Snowbi-Wan Kenobi," "Fast and Flurryous," and "Scoopacabra" on their snowy battlefronts, a move that has delighted the local populace.
After a heated contest that saw Arizonans casting over 9,500 votes, these names emerged as champions, leaving seven other frosty contenders in the snow dust. According to ADOT, multiple submissions for each winning name poured in during the contest. It turned out that eleven people proposed variations of "Snowbi-Wan Kenobi," eleven suggested "Fast and Flurryous" while a mere two thought "Scoopacabra" was a name fit for the wintry roads of the Grand Canyon state.
Jokes aside, these snowplows have been crucial in clearing paths on State Route 87, among other areas. ADOT's frost-fighting fleet and the brave drivers behind the wheels are well-regarded for their essential service when winter storms hit. The department takes pride in its 200-strong snowplow brigade, staffed by 400 operators who ensure that deicers are laid and ice and snow are removed from the highways, around the clock.
The new names have been added to an illustrious list of past winners including "Alice Scooper," "Snowguaro" and "Frost Responder." ADOT reminds travelers that if they encounter any of the creatively named plows - or their less famous counterparts - on the highways, they should never attempt to pass and stay at least four car lengths behind. Visibility could be reduced by a "cloud" of snow kicked up by the plows, so slowing down and giving them extra room is necessary. For more winter driving tips and real-time highway conditions, ADOT directs drivers to the az511.gov website or the AZ511 app, available for both Apple and Android devices.
