It will then be almost two hours before some roads are treated. If the time of salt spreading coincides with peak traffic periods, such as going to work or returning home times, the gritters become severely delayed and can get stuck along with the cars and lorries they are trying to help. Council Officers aim wherever possible to avoid salt spreading at peak traffic periods. When snow is forecast salt is spread on the roads to slow the rate of snow settling. Twice as much salt is needed than when spreading salt to prevent ice forming.
Salt alone has very little effect on snow.
The actions of ploughing, spreading salt and vehicles running on the snow will all help to clear the roads. There is clearly a responsibility on every one of us to drive with care especially during winter weather. The Met Office issues regular forecasts and each night on our televisions and radios, warnings may be given of likely adverse road conditions. These should be heeded and alarms set a little earlier to to allow more time for our journeys. We should all watch out for the frost on the car and the icy puddles, tell tale signs that the roads may be slippery.