Gritting safety reminder

In preparation for winter, the OIC roads team is reminding the public:

• Make sure your vehicle is equipped for winter driving — keep a blanket, torch, shovel and warm clothes and footwear in the car.

• Salting and snow clearing of roads and footways takes place between 6am and 6pm if temperatures fall below zero or are forecast to do so. Remember that salt takes time to work and becomes less effective as it gets colder — so there may be ice on the road surface even though it has been gritted.

• In severe weather conditions when there is packed ice and snow on the road small stone chips may be used to break up the compacted ice and snow and provide traction.

• Do not drive close to or overtake gritters — you risk damage to your vehicle if salt or grit is being spread and the road ahead of the gritter and in the oncoming lane will be untreated and may be icy.

• When salting or ploughing the gritters will travel at approximately 30mph only and cannot stop for oncoming traffic. Please allow them as much room as possible.

• Allow extra time when travelling and always drive to the conditions.

For more information and advice on safe driving in winter, visit the Association of Chief Police Officers of Scotland website at http://www.acpos.police.uk/roadsafety/Index.html