Environment
Motorists urged to be cautious on Devon’s roads
Posted on: 2 February 2012
Road users are being reminded to take extra caution on the county’s roads as freezing conditions continue.
Icy patches remain a potential hazard across the county, both on the salting network and on untreated roads, despite the ongoing efforts of Devon County Council’s gritting teams.
Road surface temperatures are forecast to drop even further this evening, to as low as -10 in places, and they are not expected to recover until late morning tomorrow.
Gritters will be salting 1,700 miles of Devon’s main salting routes between 2:30pm and 7pm, and again at 4am. Some secondary routes will also be treated.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “I would urge drivers to take extra care when travelling, particularly overnight. Ice is a potential problem across the county because road surface temperatures are staying so low, and it seems they will be below freezing during peak travelling times this evening and tomorrow morning. It’s always worth remembering that ice can form even on roads which have been treated with salt.”
Motorists are reminded of the following advice:
- Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;
- Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;
- Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;
- Drive with care and according to the conditions;
- If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, think about how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell;
- Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions.
For more information and travel advice visit Devon County Council’s Winter Travel pages on its website.
