The effects of road salt on decreasing instances of accidents are huge. In fact, road salt reduces highway collisions by as much as 85%. However, road salt does have its drawbacks.
It is common to clear icy roads in winter by applying a layer of salt. This lowers the freezing temperature of the water and melts the ice as it tries to accumulate. This is actually standard practice in a number of states with cold snowy winters, and it is considered a highly effective method for preventing inclement weather related collisions. The effects of road salt on decreasing instances of accidents are huge. In fact, road salt reduces highway collisions by as much as 85%. However, road salt does have its drawbacks. To learn more about the negative effects of using road salt, read on.
The Cons Of Using Road Salt
Due to the chemical makeup of road salt, the more your car comes into contact with it, the rustier it is likely to get. This is because water from precipitation puts metal car parts in direct contact with metal car parts. When the free floating ions in road salt come into contact with water they can increase the formation of iron oxide, by speeding up the rate at which it forms. This means your car will become rusty quickly unless you wax and wash it frequently before and during winter. Road salt can also corrode and damage traffic infrastructures and roads and can negatively impact the environment. It is a contaminant that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm animals, and kill plants. It can disrupt the ability of plants to take in nutrients and encourages the growth of salt-resistant species over all others. This can disrupt entire ecosystems.
The Pros Of Using Road Salt
Road salt is undeniably an incredibly effective way to lessen the number of dangerous and even deadly vehicle accidents which occur on otherwise slippery roads in inclement conditions. For every 10% increase in road surface friction, a 20% reduction in crashes follows. This is huge. De-icing with road salt can also decrease the number of accidents by 93%, meaning that it prevents nearly all of them. Road salt is a literal lifesaver, and happens to be incredibly affordable. Many states use it because it costs as little as $50 a ton, unless there is a shortage. In instances of shortage these prices can rise dramatically, even going as high as $250 a ton.
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