Fighting smoothness
What does the municipality do when it gets slippery? Here you will find information about ice control in Zoetermeer and an overview map of the gritting routes on the main road structure, through roads and bicycle paths.
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Safe on the road
It is safest not to go out the door when it is slippery. If you do have to go out, these tips are helpful:
Car/motorbike
- Leave home earlier, and avoid time constraints.
- Put an ice scraper or antifreeze in the car and keep lock defroster in the house.
- Scratch all car windows thoroughly and check your headlights as well.
- Remove snow from your car roof so it does not fall off while driving.
- Some places may be extra slippery, for example, bridges, overpasses and changes in pavement.
- Beware of fast steering, acceleration and acceleration and heavy braking.
- Park your car in gear but do not put it on the handbrake: it may freeze.
- Do not overtake gritters; this leads to dangerous situations.
- Keep your distance from other road users.
(Moped) bicycle
- Leave home earlier, and avoid time constraints.
- Some places may be extra slippery, for example, bridges, overpasses and changes in pavement.
- Beware of fast steering, acceleration and heavy braking.
- Slow down before the turn and don't take a turn too fast.
- Even though it has been gritted, it can still be slippery.
Pedestrian
- Leave home earlier, and avoid time constraints.
- Some places may be extra slippery, for example, bridges and changes in pavement.
- Put on shoes with treads.
- Even though it has been gritted, it can still be slippery.
What can you do yourself?
When snow falls, please clear your sidewalk/street of snow. Make sure the snow is removed first before pouring a small layer of salt on the sidewalk/street. Road salt is available for a fee at hardware stores. Snow shovels can also be purchased there.
When does the municipality grit?
The municipality takes various actions in the event of impending smoothness. These distinguish between impending smoothness, freezing and slippery conditions, snow and sleet.
Imminent smoothness
In case of possible freezing, 2 large gritting vehicles are deployed preventively to grit the main roads in Zoetermeer and the so-called coldspots. Coldspots are places that are known to freeze quickly. This route also includes the accessibility of emergency services, hospitals and cemeteries.
When freezing and slippery
When it freezes and can become slippery, the through roads and bicycle paths are gritted. 5 large and 2 small spreaders are used for through roads and 6 small spreaders for bicycle paths. There are then simultaneously 13 municipal vehicles active. This gritting action lasts on average 2.5 hours. Such actions preferably take place outside rush hours. This allows for good and fast gritting with limited inconvenience to other road users. For some areas, it is not possible to grit with normal salt because of the construction. This is done with other salt (urea) and can release an ammonia smell.
In case of snow and sleet
Preventively, through roads and bicycle paths are gritted. When necessary, the snow is pushed aside. If the snow or sleet remains on the roads for a longer period of time, gritting trucks go into the neighborhoods to limit this inconvenience. Because the municipality cannot do everything at once, this smoothness control is linked to the municipal task of collecting garbage. Sand is sometimes used to make the road a little smoother.
Report unsafe situation
Want to report an unsafe situation created by slipperiness? Report it to us using the contact form.