LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials say changing the rear lights on snowplows from flashing yellow to flashing red has resulted in fewer mishaps by motorists approaching the road-clearing machines from behind.

Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Reed Hollinshead tells The Lewiston Tribune that too many people ignored flashing yellow lights and ran right up on the snowplows. He says that sometimes resulted in collisions or vehicles sliding into the ditch. Hollinshead says the change from flashing yellow to flashing red on the back of the plows took place three years ago.

Officials with the Washington Department of Transportation say they're interested in Idaho's change but they're not switching to flashing red lights. Instead they're using brighter LED bulbs to increase the visibility of amber lights.

More From 98.3 The Snake