Crash increase for National Highways gritters

With a year-on-year increase in gritters being hit by other vehicles, National Highways is urging motorists to give them time and space.

Five National Highways gritters were struck by other vehicles while they were out and about spreading salt last winter. It compares to just one incident the year before. 

Darren Clark, severe weather resilience manager at National Highways, said: “It is quite shocking that five of our gritter vehicles were struck while in the course of their duties last winter season. 

“With the current winter conditions, it is a timely reminder for drivers to give our vehicles the time and space they need to do their jobs to keep everyone safe.” 

Damage to one of the National Highways gritters

National Highways operates 443 Romaquip-Volvo gritting vehicles and a total pool of around 530 gritting vehicles helping to keep England's motorways and A-roads safe - one gritter for every eight miles of road. 

The company started the winter season with around 280,000 tonnes of salt at its 128 depots. 

Clark said: "If you are going to pass us, please do so courteously, pass us safely and legally, or even better, if you are able to stay back, you will actually help the salt on the road activate even more quickly by crushing and breaking it into the road surface which benefits everyone. 

"It’s worth remembering too, we are not gritting all the time. Some of our fleet may come off at particular junctions or return to depots while other vehicles take over, lowering any inconvenience to motorists.

“We are once again totally committed to working around the clock on these seasonal operations to keep all road users safe and thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding."