ROAD SALT IN WINTER

During the winter, road salt is applied to the roadway to melt snow and ice.

For regions that experience frequent snowstorms, salting can help keep streets and sidewalks clear and prevent slick driving conditions. Road salting is a common practice in many states and is widely considered an effective method for preventing weather-related collisions. In fact, the American Highway Users Alliance found that road salt reduces collisions by up to 85%.

While it may be a tried-and-true method for preventing ice, road salt can take a toll on vehicle parts and the environment. So, what’s the verdict? Is the use of salt to de-ice roads a good or bad thing? Learn more about the pros and cons of de-icing and preventing slick roads with salt.

WHAT’S ROAD SALT AND HOW DOES ROAD SALT WORK?

Road salt is a large-crystal rock salt that’s sprinkled directly onto roadways using specially equipped salt trucks. Chemically, road salt is typically either sodium chloride (the same as table salt) or calcium chloride (which is just as effective but can be cheaper than sodium chloride).

Using road salt is a means of freezing point depression, which means that road salt can lower the freezing temperature of the water. When temperatures are below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, sprinkling salt directly on icy roads can melt icy patches on the roadway. 

The effectiveness of road salt in winter depends on the amount of salt used. Since road salt crystals are larger than regular table salt, the pressure from vehicles driving over salted roadways can also increase road salt’s effectiveness. More salt is needed to manage ice as temperatures drop further below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.