Gritter

by **Slink_Pink** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:04 am

What is the best, or perhaps correct, way to pass a gritter while it's gritting?

For the sake of argument, let's say it's a two-lane dual carriageway, evening/night (i.e. dark), temperature still above 0ºC, gritter using lane 1, travelling around 40mph, with the normal d/c restriction of 70mph for cars. Traffic is light so no other cars will be likely to interfere with any overtaking attempted.*

I'll take for granted that one should move as far offside as is reasonably possible.

How would you proceed?

*sorry to be so specific about conditions, but I hope it helps keep any responses on topic!

by **Standard Dave** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:30 am

Same way I would pass a HGV in heavy rain.

Go offside out of the zone of the grit then pass a quickly as possible.

Passing slowly would lead to more potential damage from grit as it would sweep onto your car several times rather than just once as is possible with a high speed pass.

by **dombooth** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:37 am

I wouldn't because I like the paintwork on my car. :lol:

In fact I avoid gritters like hell!

Dom

by **Renny** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:13 pm

Standard Dave wrote:Same way I would pass a HGV in heavy rain.

Go offside out of the zone of the grit then pass a quickly as possible.

Passing slowly would lead to more potential damage from grit as it would sweep onto your car several times rather than just once as is possible with a high speed pass.

I agree with Dave. Pass decisively, keep as far across as safe.

by **Horse** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:31 pm

Wait for a junction with a roundabout, the gritter's likely to do a loop then back on.

If it doesn't, can you exit, negotiate the island, then return to the main carriageway fast enough? :lol:

by **Big Err** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:03 pm

If you are following a gritter that is not spreading, give it plenty of room at junctions as its route may only involve slip roads, or from a junction.

It wouldn't be the first time I've seen someone hard up the tail of a gritter at the start of a motorway diverge getting a face full of salt when the spinner starts! :lol:

by **Slink_Pink** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:13 pm

Standard Dave wrote:Same way I would pass a HGV in heavy rain.

Go offside out of the zone of the grit then pass a quickly as possible.

Passing slowly would lead to more potential damage from grit as it would sweep onto your car several times rather than just once as is possible with a high speed pass.

Yes, this is also my technique. Just wondered if anyone was in favour of crawling past and if so why.

Horse wrote:...If it doesn't, can you exit, negotiate the island, then return to the main carriageway fast enough?

Oh so tempting...

by **Standard Dave** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:21 pm

Big Err wrote:If you are following a gritter that is not spreading, give it plenty of room at junctions as its route may only involve slip roads, or from a junction.

It wouldn't be the first time I've seen someone hard up the tail of a gritter at the start of a motorway diverge getting a face full of salt when the spinner starts!

Most of the drivers I see turn the amber beacons on at least 10 seconds before they start spreading not much more they can do about the stupidity of some drivers.

by **Mr Cholmondeley-Warner** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:53 pm

Remember it's really just rock salt. Hard, but soluble. In modern gritters it may be pre-wetted anyway as it goes further and is more effective.

by **exportmanuk** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:03 pm

Hurts like F.... if your on a bike :!:

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