Icy roads are ‘death traps’, AA warns

by David Masters

Story link: Icy roads are ‘death traps’, AA warns

As the Met Office continues to issue severe weather warnings for heavy snow and icy roads, the AA has expressed concern that drivers braving the weather could be risking their lives as local authorities run low on salt for road gritting.

The car insurance and breakdown service provider called on the government to lead a co-ordinated response to the weather crisis.

At the moment the percentage of roads gritted in any given area is based on a postcode lottery, the AA said.

Some local authorities are gritting up to 40% of roads, whilst others are managing just 20%.

The Highways Agency, responsible for gritting the motorways and some A-roads, said it is doing everything it can to help struggling local councils.

AA president Edmund King said: “The harshest winter for almost two decades has left some highway authorities ‘running on empty’ as regards their salt stocks.

“Many are desperate to restock their road salt but supply chain pressures from mine to highway depot looks like resulting in some areas running dry – this is a very serious situation with some roads becoming death traps.”

Last week the AA saw 56% more claims than normal as drivers lost the battle with freezing conditions.