A record number of Iowa Department of Transportation snowplows were hit by vehicles during last Wednesday’s snowstorm, the Iowa DOT said in a news release.

There were 15 snowplow strikes during the Feb. 12 storm, which dumped several inches of snow across much of the state. That surpassed the previous record of nine set in 2024. There were also nine this winter before Wednesday’s storm.

Iowa DOT’s official winter season started Oct. 15, and since then, 25 DOT snowplows have been hit. The average number of snowplows hit by vehicles from 2015 to 2024 was 32 a year, with the record high happening in 2019 when 47 motorists collided with a snowplow.

No damage estimates from the Feb. 12 storm were available.

Craig Bargfrede, the DOT’s winter operations administrator, said there were several factors leading to the crashes. He cited distracted driving, not paying attention to what was ahead and not adjusting to the driving conditions as reasons for the accidents.

Bargfrede said the accidents need to stop and can be prevented with “smarter winter driving behaviors.”

“We need drivers to remember that we are sharing the road to clear the way for them, but we need cooperation and more cautious driving,” he said.