Prepare For Winter Driving Conditions

Road users are urged to take extra care on the roads throughout the darker months as the roads service gears up to manage the challenges of winter driving.

As the cold sets in and daylight hours grow shorter, the Government is preparing around 300 staff, 130 gritters and 12 snow blowers for operation between now and April.

Lower temperatures are known for making conditions more difficult and drivers are reminded not to rely on in-car temperature sensors as an indicator of possible frost or ice.

Members of the public are advised to slow down, stay focused and alert, never drink or take drugs while driving and always wear a seatbelt.

In particular, watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders, as they will be much more difficult to see in the dark mornings and evenings.

Remember, you should heed the advice in the Highway Code and drive, ride or cycle with extra care, even if roads have been salted.

You should also be prepared for road conditions changing over short distances, and take care when overtaking gritters.

You should note that:

• a journey could start or end on an untreated section of road

• salt does not act immediately, it needs vehicles to turn it into an effective solution

• roads can refreeze after spreading, particularly in showery conditions

The main roads which carry more than 1,500 vehicles a day are salted. In exceptional circumstances, some roads carrying between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles daily will also be salted. Arrangements are also in place to get the help of contractors, including farmers, to clear blocked roads following heavy snow and extra salt bins are provided on routes not included as part of the gritting network. These are free-of-charge for people to use themselves.



(JG)