When do we grit?
We only apply grit if the road surface temperature could fall below 1°C. This temperature may be different to the air temperature. Roads retain heat and do not cool down as quickly as a vehicle. So, frost on a car would be a misleading guide on whether to grit a road.
Frost usually affects road surfaces when it is either late in the evening or early in the morning. So, we aim to apply grit overnight, when road traffic is lighter than it is during the day.
Winter service vehicles distribute salt across a carriageway's full width. If road users follow a gritting vehicle, they should keep at a safe distance from it. They should also exercise great care when overtaking it and be mindful of operatives.