When the snow falls, water freezes and anxiety
levels increase in drivers, there is little more comforting and welcoming than
the sight of a flashing orange beacon on top of a big yellow truck spreading grit
on the roads.
A multitude of road accidents
across the central belt last week heralded the arrival of the first real
snows of winter so far, and despite all the previous warnings of past years,
folk still keep a-slipping and a-sliding.
If there is one surefire, effective way to get a serious message across
to folk, then do it with a smile, and that's just what Traffic Scotland is
doing with their 'Trunk Road Gritter Tracker' available on all good smartphones,
tablets and laptops.
Log on and have a look. TS is showing in real time where the gritters
are and where they have been, and using a
trail of colour coded dots show how recently certain roads have been gritted or
are currently being gritted.
Yes, it's a bit of fun, but for those of a nervous disposition who are
venturing out in low temperatures, a quick look at the Traffic Scotland website
will do much to inform, advise and reassure. And they do it with a smile, as
some of the gritting crews have named their trucks and these are highlighted on
the 'live mapping'.
Some have 'sensible' and obvious names like Snowball, Frosty and Salty Tom,
whilst others are called Sophie Salt, Mrs McGritter, Slippy McGritty and Gritty
McVittie. But the best ones include names such as Grittest Hits, Grittle Mix, Spread
Sheeran, and my favourite Sprinklebell. Gaun yersels guys 'n'gals - grit and
spread it.
Well, it made me smile.
Go on have a look: https://bit.ly/2fgIL9V
Traffic Scotland website: https://trafficscotland.org/wintergritterinfo/
