From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, December 18, 2007

DEVON County Council is reminding drivers to take extra care while travelling on the county's roads this winter.

The recent cold spell has seen temperatures plummet and gritters have been salting as much of the network as possible, as and when it is needed.

The County's Highway Operations and Control Centre is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to co-ordinate work on the highway network and it is fully equipped to monitor how the weather is affecting the roads. As well as using radar and satellite images, it also uses a network of roadside ice detectors at strategic locations to provide information on road conditions.

Devon County Council is responsible for 8,000 miles of roads - the biggest network of any local authority in the country. The County Council salts over 1,650 miles of roads (20% of the network) when ice or snow is forecast, and spends up to £5 million over the winter to keep the roads as safe and clear as possible.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "The County Council does as much as it can to salt Devon's roads within the budget available, to make travelling in the area as safe as possible when conditions are icy, but 80% of roads are not routinely treated. The technology used by our control centre means that resources can be directed at the worst affected areas. Motorists should always take extra during the winter months, plan their journeys accordingly and stay safe."

It is important to remember that despite the County Council's best efforts, winter weather can still make the roads dangerous. The advice is:

- Think about the conditions;

- Drive with care. Decide whether your journey is absolutely necessary, allow extra time for your journey and reduce your speed;

- Never assume a road has been salted, and remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice;

- In very cold weather even salting will not stop ice from forming.

The M5 and main trunk roads (A30, A303, A38 and A35) are the responsibility of the Highways Agency but are treated similarly, and the County Council liaises with them to ensure consistent treatment in Devon as much as possible.

For more information of winter operations contact 0845 1551004. or visit the website: http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/transport/roads/winter_travel.htm or

www.devon.gov.uk/index/transport/roads/road_safety/winterdriving.htm

Notes to Editors:

A graphic of the salting network is available from the Media and PR Office on 01392 383262.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.