Look For Flashing Green Lights On Snowplow Trucks

DETROIT (WWJ) - Green may mean "go" but it also means "slow."

Snow plows with MDOT and a number of county road commission are now using flashing green or amber lights on the back to get drivers' attention and slow down. The idea is to reduce crashes with snow plows during big snowstorms.

Most of the freeways across Oakland County are just covered with water at this point. Craig Bryson, with the Road Commission for Oakland County, says now they're focused on the main surface streets.

"There are still some of the primaries that are a bit snow covered and slushy, but most of them are in decent shape - but we are hitting it hard this morning," said Bryson.

Bryson says some ramps could still be tricky this morning. It could be Monday afternoon or Tuesday before they can plow some of the back roads.

The forecast was calling for six to ten inches of snow and the Great Lakes state got that and then some. The National Weather Service says Sterling Heights, Romulus, Wyandotte and White Lake reported 11 inches of snow over the past day. Ten inches of the white stuff was reported in Eastpointe and Flint. Nine inches fell on the ground in Livonia, Howell and Brighton. Eight inches of snow was reported in Wixom and Port Huron.

The snow also suspended trash pick up in many cities --  officials say GFL Environmental Corporation, which took over Rizzo, will not be picking up trash Monday in any of the cities where they normally work like Sterling Heights and Livonia.  Collection days will be delayed one day all week, similar to a holiday.