A St. Thomas municipal employee has been named the most effective in Ontario after taking first place on the 2025 Provincial Security Truck Roadeo. Josh Cousins earned the title of Driver of the 12 months on the annual competitors, hosted by the Affiliation of Ontario Highway Supervisors (AORS) in Beckwith Township. The occasion introduced collectively prime gear operators from throughout the province to check their expertise in maneuvering heavy vehicles, together with snow plows. “It is fairly cool. Not one thing I anticipated to occur, however yeah, it is fairly neat,” Cousins mentioned. The course challenged operators with real-world situations they face on the job, from reversing by means of tight areas and benching snowbanks to navigating blind spots and staying tight to a curb.
Josh Cousins, dubbed Ontario’s 2025 ‘Plow King’ reminds drivers who share the street with plows come winter to present them time and area. ‘If there is a plow in entrance of you, simply dangle again and in a couple of minutes he’ll be up and out of your approach,’ he says. (Submitted Picture)
Cousins mentioned his first expertise plowing alone was “intimidating,” particularly when snow piled up in opposition to the windshield and blocked his view.
“You simply form of decelerate and wait till you’ll be able to see once more and get by means of your shift,” he mentioned.
Security is on the centre of each the competitors and the day-to-day work of operators like Cousins.
“That is positively the primary factor while you come to work within the metropolis streets. You need to do your job as safely as attainable to keep away from any interactions with the general public that might happen,” he mentioned.
LISTEN | Josh Cousins took the highest spot on the 2025 Provincial Security Truck Roadeo:
Afternoon Drive6:24St. Thomas man topped winner of provincial truck security ‘Roadeo’
Josh Cousins from St. Thomas has gained the title of Ontario’s prime municipal gear operator after competing within the Provincial Security Truck ‘Roadeo,’ demonstrating his precision behind the wheel of heavy gear. Cousins shares extra concerning the title and his expertise.
Cousins added that competitions just like the Roadeo additionally provide an opportunity to attach with drivers from different municipalities, evaluate gear and swap tales. “It is a fantastic probability to talk with all the opposite drivers and see how they’re dealing with their operations,” he mentioned.
Second place within the provincial competitors went to Taylor Blackburn of Central Frontenac Township, whereas Jeff Neilsen from Trent Hills completed third.
Give plows time and area
For Cousins, the win can be about his group again in St. Thomas. “We now have a fantastic group right here and a number of nice drivers. Any one among these guys might have pulled it off this yr. I simply acquired fortunate.” As winter approaches, Cousins has one reminder for drivers who share the roads with plows: give them time and area. “These guys are working lengthy hours … If there is a plow in entrance of you, simply dangle again and in a couple of minutes he’ll be up and out of your approach.”Supply hyperlink
