The County Council has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by
snow or ice.
The County Council
spreads salt and clears snow to
comply with this duty. There are practical limitations to what can
be achieved, and priority is given to areas of highest potential
risk. The first priority are the busiest roads. After that we
treat roads, footways and cycle tracks according to a system of
priorities based on usage.
In any case, salting and snow clearing cannot guarantee that a
surface is ice free. Road users should therefore take reasonable
precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others when
freezing conditions occur. The County Council offers the following
advice:
- Before setting out, listen to weather forecasts on the radio or
television, and look for clues outside. For example, is there frost
on the grass or on the car windscreen.
- Weather forecast information is also available on the Web. See
the links to the Met Office and Meteo Group Weather
Centre.
- Allow extra time for your journey in wintry conditions.
- Reduce your speed generally and slow down well in advance of
bends and junctions. Allow more time to stop than usual.
- Use a high gear and avoid harsh acceleration, hard braking or
sudden steering movements.
- Make sure you can see and be seen. Use dipped headlights in
poor visibility but avoid unnecessary use main beam headlights or
rear fog lights which can cause dazzle and annoyance.
- Use main routes as far as possible for your journey as these
are most likely to have been salted.
- If conditions are severe, consider if your journey is really
necessary or whether it can be delayed. If you have to go out,
dress warmly and be prepared in case you get stuck or delayed.
- Powdery snow and strong winds are likely to lead to drifting
and you should avoid travelling if possible.
- Drive carefully, you are responsible for your own safety, your
passengers’ safety, your vehicle and your effect on other road
users.