MOLASSES ELIMINATED, BUT LOW ROAD GRIP REMAINS A MYSTERY
15 February 2006 - Safe Speed

The mystery of low - probably dangerously low - road grip levels continues.

Investigations reveal that widespread reported low road grip CANNOT be caused
by molasses added to de-icer treatments. However reports of low road grip
continue and concern remains high.

At this stage the evidence is largely anecdotal, although one report received
confidentially points to the lowest dry grip ever recorded (in one specific
location).

Rainfall has been reported to increase grip levels and more changeable weather
in the past week has apparently increased grip in a number of areas.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: ''Widespread reports of low grip conditions remain
a serious issue of public safety. Recent information means that we can
effectively eliminate molasses, but the cause remains a mystery. It is both
urgent and important that an investigation is carried out to determine the
true cause of exceptional and dangerous conditions.''

Mark Dutton, Managing Director of Safecote Limited (www.safecote.com) kindly
provided the following statement: ''Safecote is NOT used as a neat product
anywhere in the UK. It is used as an additive to de-icing salt at the rate of
only 3% by weight. This type of de-icing product is being used on less than
5% of the UK''s highways and the Transport Research Laboratory has fully tested
the skid resistance properties of normal rock salt versus rock salt with 3% of
Safecote and no difference was detected. This report is downloadable on our
web site.''

What we do know:

* Exceptionally low road grip has been reported in many areas

* The only molasses treatment is ''Safecote'', and Safecote has been applied to
less than 5% of roads this winter.

* Widespread reports of low grip CANNOT be caused by the use of molasses
because low grip has been reported in many areas where molasses hasn''t been
used.

* Reports suggest that grip improves after rain.

* There is an apparent association between the low grip reports and a long dry
spell.

www.safespeed.org.uk

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