As a professional snowfighter, you are on the front lines in the war on snow and ice, battling the unpredictability of wintry weather to keep roads open and safe for motorists. The work you do not only prevents injuries and deaths, it keeps the economy moving. Thank you!
You do your job and do it well, but here are seven suggestions to communicate your passion for safe winter roads to others:
- Persuade public officials to fully fund essential winter road maintenance — including the advance purchase and safe storage of road salt — by pointing out the risks to safety, the local economy and reelection.
- Remind elected officials, with cautionary examples from other communities, that voters expect cleared, open and safe winter roads, even when snowstorms hit areas outside the historical snow belt.
- Show local media, elected officials and civic groups how you practice “sensible salting” and other environmentally sensitive practices that do not compromise on safety.
- The Safe and Sustainable Salt Storage Handbook is an excellent source for information about the need for salt storage, how to make a practical plan and creating a structure and a program.
- Share resources on this site, especially The Winter Roads Highway Safety brochure.
- Stay informed and interact with others who share your passion. “Like” Safe Winter Roads on Facebook. “Follow” Safe Winter Roads on Twitter.
- Subscribe to the Salt Institute’s Salt and Deicing newsletter.
- Join the American Public Works Association and attend its annual snowfighters conference.
HELPFUL PAGES FOR SNOWFIGHTERS ON THIS SITE
How road salt works
Anti-icing, applying salt before snow falls and ice forms.
OTHER RESOURCES
Federal Highway Administration data and index on snow and ice
American Public Works Association resources on winter maintenance
Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Association
ARTICLES
Big Snow Storms Can Make Or Break Politicians (NPR transcript, audio)
Snow & Politics: A volatile mix (Chicago Examiner)
Mayors Grow Attuned to the Politics of Snow Removal (New York Times)
Politicians’ reputations can be buried by snowstorms (Washington Post)
Bloomberg Takes Blame for Response to Snowstorm (New York Times)
VIDEO
The Salt Guru: Coping with Winter (Salt Institute)
Salt of the Earth: A Winter Weather Staple (CBS)
How the pros fight snow in Syracuse, N.Y (Highway Users Alliance)
Thumbs up to Frederick County, Md., snow and ice removal crews (Highway Users Alliance)
Cars sliding on ice like hockey pucks in Seattle (YouTube)
Cars, bicycles, pedestrians, wiping out on ice in the Netherlands (YouTube, forward to :52 for action to start)
“Ice Storm Insanity” slideshow(YouTube)