FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release # 26-027
ODOT and OTA launch 2026 snowplow naming contest
Back by popular demand, K-12 students statewide are invited to submit names for 24 of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s winter-weather fleet in its second Snowplow Naming Contest. Additionally, this year partners at the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will also be joining in the fun, offering 11 more snowplows to name in 2026.
From Monday, Aug. 24 through Monday, Sept. 28, students can unleash their creativity at OkTraffic.org and pitch the perfect moniker for the snowplow that keeps their area’s highways, interstates and turnpikes clear. Popular names from the 2025 contest included Snowy McPlowface, Clearopathra and Oh Snow You Didn’t.
“In 2025, ODOT received nearly 400 creative name submissions from students statewide, and more than 2,100 votes were cast to select our winning names,” said Caitlyn Carolus, ODOT Traffic Operations Center program manager. “With such great engagement last year, we’re incredibly excited to see the names students come up with this year and for the additional snowplow names available with OTA’s partnership.”
After the submission period closes, ODOT’s and OTA’s staff across the state will select the top three name entries per snowplow. Between Oct. 12 and Oct. 16, the public will vote on their favorites online. The final winners will be revealed on Nov. 2 and will be featured on the snowplow tracking website during winter storms.
“This contest is a creative way for students to not only have their name proudly displayed on our snowplows across the state but also connect with public safety in their community and honor the important work of our crews during storm season and beyond,” said Lisa Salim, OTA Chief of Public Relations. “We are also excited to join in the contest this year and see the creative names students submit for our fleet.”
Key Contest Dates:
- Name submissions: Through Sept. 28
- Public voting: Oct. 12-16
- Winners announced: Nov. 2
Winning students will receive special recognition on the snowplow tracking website and a winter weather prize pack.
ODOT and OTA encourage schools, teachers and families to participate. Toolkits are available to help educators incorporate the contest into classroom or schoolwide activities. Submit your ideas and get complete rules, submission forms and inspiration at OkTraffic.org today.
Snowplow facts:
- Oklahoma has 768 snowplows in operation, between ODOT, OTA and contractors. This statewide fleet works around the clock to keep roads safe and passable when winter weather hits.
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has 12 turnpikes, covering roughly 630 miles across the state.
- There are more than 30,000 lane miles of highway and interstates in Oklahoma.
- In 2025, the John Kilpatrick Turnpike averaged nearly 60,000 vehicles per day.
- In the most recent snowstorms in Jan. 2026, ODOT and OTA cleared nearly 640,000 miles of highway, interstates and turnpikes.
- During widespread storms, snowplow drivers in Oklahoma can often cover highways, interstates and turnpikes across all 77 counties in a single weather event. From the Panhandle to Southeastern Oklahoma, crews can be deployed wherever they are needed most.
For questions about the contest, email oktraffic@odot.org.
(Editors and News Directors: For questions, please call Oklahoma Department of Transportation Communications at 405-521-6000.)
