The annual South Dakota Department of Transportation snowplow naming contest is back.
Officials say it's a chance to give a personal flair to the plows that keep the state’s roads clear every winter.
Anyone can submit a name online. DOT staff choose one winner for each of its 12 geographic districts.
Some past winning names include Thaw Enforcement, Frost and the Flurrious and Plowabunga.
This is the sixth year the state has held the naming contest. Officials say the state receives an average of around 700 submissions each year.
“Each winter, South Dakotans place their trust in the SDDOT to keep our state highways open. From families traveling statewide for recreational purposes to truck drivers transporting goods that fuel our economy, everyone depends on a reliable and safe public transportation system,” said Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt. “Last winter, SDDOT introduced a new text notification service that provides subscribers with direct updates for any winter-related Interstate closure. This free service builds upon our SD511 system, making it even easier for drivers to access current information seamlessly.”
The contest is open through Dec. 12.
As part of the contest, the DOT also created snowplow and winter driving awareness coloring sheets, crossword puzzles and word finds for families and classrooms. New materials are available for download on the contest page.