Highway Department Explains Why No De-Icer Spray

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Story Published: Jan 25, 2008 at 2:48 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2008 at 2:54 PM MDT

By Todd Kunz

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"It's got to change. Obviously, people are dying as a result of the poor road conditions."

That very statement from Fremont County Sheriff, Ralph Davis, prompted our investigation into Highway 20 and why the transportation department does not use de-icer sprays on our roads. In the beginning, this was their response...

"Once you get sub-zero, it's not going to work in those conditions either. They're going to have to wait for it to warm back up," District Six Engineer, Tom Cole.

Just tonight, the highway department released this statement...

"While maintenance crews have and will continue to work hard to keep state highways traversable in severe winter conditions, no amount of plowing, sanding and de-icing can make slick roads perfectly safe...The best all-around remedy for motorists is to slow down, way down."

The transportation department tells Eyewitness News, they are not talking about slowing down from 65 to 55 miles per hour. They say 25 or 30, perhaps even slower.