Nova Scotia's Cold Snap Brings Sand

Drivers in Nova Scotia may be surprised to see sand on the road instead of salt, during extra cold winter days.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has a variety of tools it uses to combat the elements during the winter season, including more than 400 pieces of snow-removal equipment, 300,000 tonnes of road salt and 100,000 tonnes of winter sand. When temperatures dip below -10 C, salt is no longer an effective de-icer. So the department switches to sand or a salt-sand mixture when temperatures fall that low.

Harsh winter storms are a part of life in Nova Scotia, which is why the department has 800 full-time winter operators on call 24-7 to clear roads. When severe winter storms hit, the department encourages people to stay at home to ensure everyone's safety, and to allow winter operators to properly clear roads.

If it is necessary to drive during a storm, remember to check road conditions and to adjust driving speeds to the conditions. For road information, call 511 for provincial highway conditions, or 1-888-432-3233 for local road information. Drivers should also follow traffic at a safe distance, be aware of black ice that can form instantly, keep vehicles in top working order and have a winter survival kit in vehicles.

More winter driving tips, plow priorities and other maintenance facts, can be found on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal's website at: www.gov.ns.ca/tran/winter/.