• Advice for Motorists


    In extreme conditions ask yourself

    • Is your journey essential?
    • Have you checked the weather forecast and road conditions and carefully considered the advice given?
    • Have you a full fuel tank?
    • Does anybody know where you are going and when you hope to arrive?
    • Would taking warm clothing, hot drinks, food, wellingtons, a torch with spare batteries, a high visibility vest and a shovel be a wise precaution?

    Check You

    • are travelling with care on both treated and untreated roads and reduce speed accordingly
    • take particular care when leaving or joining untreated roads at junctions
    • are you using dipped headlights in poor visibility and snow
    • are driving in the highest gear possible and avoid harsh breaking and acceleration
    • are maintaining a safe stopping distance behind other vehicles bearing in mind the prevailing conditions
    • are keeping a careful watch on other road users and especially cyclists and children
    • are not obstructing winter maintenance vehicles as they treat the roads
    • local and national radio for travel information and weather forecasts allowing extra time for your journey if necessary
    • all lights are clean and working properly
    • all windows and mirrors are clear from frost and snow and are clean

    If you get into trouble

    • stay with your vehicle if possible until help arrives
    • if you do have to leave your vehicle make yourself visible to other road users
    • if you are forced to abandon your vehicle give the local police the details
    • check the local and national weather forecasts.
    • If driving, listen to your local or national radio stations for travel news.  

    Frequently asked questions
    Why roads may still be icy:

    • Despite the high level of service provided, no guarantee can be given that roads will always be completely clear of ice or snow.
    • On average, forecasts are 90% accurate and in most winters this means that there are days when a road frost is not forecast, but can actually occur.
    • It takes time for the salt to become effective after roads are salted.
    • Rain can wash salt off roads leaving them prone to re-icing.
    • In severe cold weather below -8oC even salt will not prevent roads from icing up.
    • If a road frost follows rain salting will normally start after the rain has stopped to avoid salt being washed away.
    • Temperatures may fall by as much as 5oC per hour and the wet roads may well freeze before the salt spreader has been able to salt them.
    • "Dawn Frost" - This occurs on dry roads and involves the development of early morning dew which falls on cold road surfaces and freezes on impact.
    • It is impossible to forecast with any accuracy where and when it will occur.
    • When rain turns to snow, early salting cannot take place as it would be washed away.
    • Treated roads can still therefore have icy patches and drivers should remain vigilant and aware of the need to drive carefully at all times especially when road frosts follow rain.