Interesting Road Gritting Facts

What Do Gritting Lorries Spread?

Although it is commonly referred to as grit, probably because of the way it looks, this isn’t exactly what the lorries spread, so what do gritting lorries spread? Although they do spread grit sometimes to improve traction. In most cases they spread rock salt or marine salt which lowers the freezing point of moisture. This melts snow and protects it from ice.

Summer Gritting Exists

Have you ever seen the gritter lorries in the summer? If not, that’s not because they aren’t there  but it may depend on the temperature. In very hot weather when the tar is at risk of melting the gritters spread salt. This absorbs moisture from the air and cools the tar. It can also create a non-stick road surface. Do you want more road gritting facts about what do gritting lorries spread?

Other People Grit Roads, Not Just The Council

Depending on where you live you may not benefit from the road gritting services. Some streets are too awkward for the lorries or too out of the way. In these instances a grit bin will be provided in your street and residents will be expected to grit the street themselves. How about these road gritting facts?

Why Roads Need to Be Gritted Twice

Have you noticed a grit lorry in your street more than once in a few days? Do you know what do gritting lorries spread? The local authorities are carefully monitoring the weather and will notice when an area has has slush or rainfall. This washes away the previous grit and makes the road vulnerable again. It will have to be re-gritted a second time before the weather freezes. Have some more road gritting facts.

Gritting Requires Skill

Operating a gritting lorry isn’t easy, do you even know what do gritting lorries spread? Most gritting is carried out at night when the roads are empty. Someone driving a gritting lorry will need to be trained in night time driving and hazard awareness. Since the roads are not gritted and carry ice, the drivers must also be skilled and consistently trained to avoid unfortunate accidents; these are excellent road gritting facts.

Total Distance Covered on Average Each Year

Highways authorities throughout the country are responsible for gritting 90% of the roads. This includes all of the major roads and motorways, but doesn’t include difficult to reach estates and some elevated places. During winter these local authorities will cover around 225,000 miles of roads. These are some solid road gritting facts.

Road Surface Temperature

When we think of temperature we often think of air temperature. This is natural since it is what’s generally reported and it’s how we determine our clothing and habits. But road surface temperature is a different story. This is rarely the same as air temperature and it must be monitored by local authorities to help make decisions about when to send out gritters and what salt to use, salt and grit is the answer to what do gritting lorries spread. This is the end of our road gritting facts for now.