BUFFALO, N.Y. — On average, 15 plows per year have been hit by vehicles along the New York State Thruway.

“Just be courteous, pay attention [and] keep alert," said Thruway Authority Buffalo District Director Matthew Latko.

Nevertheless, Latko and company have been gearing up for the inevitable lake-effect snow. 

"We're going to have staff on and we're going to be ready,” said Latko. “Wherever it hits, we'll be ready for it."

New measures are in place this year to avoid incidents, like bright green lights added to 250 of the authority's heavy-duty rigs.

"They'll only be on when they'll be plowing or spreading salt," he said. "The green light is used to enhance visibility to the plow trucks during low lighting conditions or snowy extreme weather."

They are also piloting an 'iCone' program that will let drivers be more reliant on their screens to help bring down contact. 

"It'll send a signal, this will be on our trucks that are along the 190," Latko remarked on the pilot program. "If you have on your Google app, driving app or if you have Waze on, it'll let you know that there is a plow truck up ahead."

Every winter, the message is repeated ad nauseam, but becomes no less paramount.

"The safest place to be is behind the trucks, a safe distance back. The public should keep in mind our trucks will only go 35 mph. They're not going to go faster than that,” he said. “So the conditions may dictate that you could go a little bit faster, but you're taking a risk, and you're putting yourself in danger and you're putting our operators in danger."

This winter weather will be nothing new to upstate New Yorkers. 

"There's no one who plows snow or keeps the road better than we do," said Latko. "So the Thruway is the place to be during the wintertime. Just take your time and be safe."