As more snow is predicted, caution is issued to road users about a common driving mishap with the potential to cause significant damage.
A series of weather alerts are set across the country, as the frosty conditions could lead to icy roadways. Consequently, a large number of gritting lorries are expected to be in operation to ensure safety. However, if you find yourself trailing behind one, it’s imperative to maintain a safe distance.
Gritting trucks play a crucial role in enabling transportation during harsh weather, but they could pose risks to the paint, headlights, and radiators of other vehicles. Furthermore, contact with the naturally corrosive constituent, salt, can escalate the probability of metalwork degeneration and rust, experts warn.
Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, mentioned: “Gritting is an integral part of this season, primarily in Glasgow, northern England and in elevated terrains. It is crucial in maintaining mobility when snow and icy conditions threaten to disrupt the roads.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“However, it’s beneficial to be aware of the potential problems it could cause to protect your vehicle accordingly.”
Per the Local Government Association website, local authorities in the UK are tasked with roughly 225,000 miles of road, with an average of 41 per cent of them receiving grit. A combination of financial restraints and specific logistical difficulties, such as the impossibility of a gritting lorry navigating certain steep or narrow roadways, prevents comprehensive gritting.
It’s speculated that around 1.5 million tonnes of grit, a blend of Sodium Chloride rock salt and a smaller proportion of insoluble rock like marl, are procured for the “gritting season”. This mixture serves as a de-icer and enhances the road’s grip.
While it effectively neutralizes the risk of skidding on frozen roads, it can initiate numerous car-associated problems. Conway explained, “Stones can rebound off the road surface and scratch the paint. This effect is considerably heightened if you are directly trailing a dispersing gritter.
“If scratches or minor indentations are created in the paintwork, or if there are any pre-existing flaws, salt can infiltrate, leading to corrosion and rust if not washed off.”
Several motorists have cited on the popular Pistonheads forum about the potential expenses incurred due to grit. Instances included chipped windshields and radiators damaged due to the gritty substance.
Broken headlights also feature prominently among the grit-related issues reported by UK drivers. Along with steering clear of gritters, Conway advised against road travel when spreading is likely to transpire, typically between 9-12pm the night preceding snowfall or when a substantial dip in temperature is projected.
The Select Car Leasing pundit amplified, “Regularly washing your car to eliminate any salt residue on the body is advised. Pay special attention to wheel arches as they are susceptible to grit accumulation.
“And remember to clean the tires as well. They are prone to picking up considerable amounts of salt and grit, which they can subsequently push underneath the car, inflicting lasting damage to unseen parts. Applying wax to your car can offer an additional protective layer against the potential damage inflicted by salt.”
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Glasgow has a unique gritting system in place, so stay tuned for further updates.
