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The UK’s favourite gritter names
Follow the gritter tracker this winter
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 04/12/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 04/12/2025
With the cold, wind and snow, winter driving can be perilous. But when the freezing temperatures come, the UK can rely on winter service vehicles known as gritters to help make the roads safer.
When water freezes, it forms frost and ice. Rock salt, otherwise known as grit, can be used on both roads and pavements to help prevent the formation of frost and ice. When the salt mixes with moisture, it creates a saline solution that freezes at a lower temperature than water.
Road gritters are large vehicles used to spread the salt on the roads. Transport Nottingham explains how they’re designed to ensure, as much as possible, that the salinity of moisture on the roads is enough to prevent the formation of frost and ice. The effectiveness of salt is reduced if temperatures drop below 6 degrees and it will not work on top of snow.
As well as keeping roads safe in adverse weather conditions, gritters have become an unlikely source of national pride across Britain - with their punny names being chosen by the general public in council-run competitions.
The BBC states that the tradition of naming snow gritters started in Scotland in 2006, with the other nations following suit in the following years. It’s now a traditional event in many areas for the public to take part in contests to name the gritters after favourite sayings, celebrities and news stories.
Taylor Drift, David Plowie, Gritney Spears… Pop star names are a firm favourite with the UK population.
They don’t have to be global superstars either; sometimes they can be named after a local legend e.g. Rick Witter from Britpop band Shed Seven was honoured with a vehicle named Rick Gritter. The snow plough on the front? That was known as Sled Seven.
On unveiling this gritter in 2024, Rick told the York Press: “We’ve had two number ones and then this pops up, making it the best year ever. Life was made – where do we go from here? I was asked on the radio if it’s time for a statue of Shed Seven in York and I instead made a flippant comment that winter is coming, so we should have a gritter. Two weeks on, here I am sat in this.
As much as these things are an incredible thing to keep us safe on the roads, it’s nice to also have an element of rock and roll. Those two things don’t normally go hand in hand so it’s nice that they are with this.”
Spready Mercury
Snoasis
Sleetwood Mac
Skid Vicious
Sled Zeppelin
You’ll also find some gritters named after songs, including:
You’ll also find gritters named after your favourite films, TV shows, actors and their characters. Professor Dumblethaw, anyone?
Back in 2016, Oldham council ran a competition to name their gritters - explaining how they treated any rude and ‘silly suggestions with a pinch of salt’ - and declared Nicole Saltslinger, named after the-then X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger as their favourite.
We also enjoy the following:
Robert Brrrns and Sir Andy Flurry have both been spotted gritting the roads in Scotland, with Usain Salt also swapping the sunnier climes of Jamaica for some salt spreading. Gritter Thunberg also clears the way forward for so many.
Some gritter names capture sources of local pride and regional humour, including Scotland’s Thistle Do Nicely, Norfolk’s A Fine Gritty and Cornwall’s Proper Job.
Traffic Scotland’s Gritter Tracker offers live tracking across all of Scotland’s trunk roads (Suffolk County Council describes a trunk road as ‘a major road designated by National Highways as a route of strategic importance.’), while some local councils also offer maps and tracking on their websites.
You’ll be able to see the current location of all the gritters out in the local area. Maybe you’ll spot a new name?
While we love the funny gritter names, driving in winter is no laughing matter. Dark, wet and icy roads can be very hazardous. Here are just a few things to look out for:
Black ice - While the gritters will cover the main roads and help keep them safe, there’s no 100% guarantee of you not skidding. Black ice (a thin and transparent layer of ice that is very difficult to see) could still be an issue so take your time, leaving plenty of space between you and any other vehicles on the road.
Reduced visibility - Darker evenings, heavy rain and mist can make driving in the dark difficult. Drive slower and safer, extend your stopping distance and use your fog lights properly. Clear your windscreen and pull over in a safe space and wait for visibility to improve if you need to do so.
Snow - Rule 228 of The Highway Code recommends you ‘check the local weather forecast for warnings of icy or snowy weather. DO NOT drive in these conditions unless your journey is essential’. If your journey is essential, pack an emergency kit with the following:
If you’d feel safer driving in a bigger car, or want someone else to take the wheel if you’re feeling less than confident, you can take out temporary car insurance.
This comprehensive cover - available from one hour to 28 days - will keep you moving through the winter and, if the worst were to happen, have no impact on any of the driver’s existing cover or no claims discounts.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55997520
https://www.traffic.gov.scot/travel-news/campaigns/winter-treatments
https://www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-tracker
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/scottish-gritter-names-list_uk_673dbffee4b0f17b35e06c31
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwpk41llyo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-42026485
