Gritter tracker 2020: funny names of Scotland’s snow plough fleet and how to track them on Traffic Scotland map

One of Scotland’s great winter traditions has returned with the country’s hilariously named gritters hitting the roads.

Every year the combination of frigid temperatures, festive cheer and unique Scottish humour sees the country’s gritter drivers nickname their vehicles, from Yes Sir Ice Can Boogie to License to Chill.

Best of all, Scots concerned about the road conditions, or simply keen to track their favourite gritter can do so at the Traffic Scotland website.

You can track Scotland's hilariously named gritter fleet (Traffic Scotland)

Here's how to track the vehicles – and the funniest nicknames.

How can I track Scotland’s gritters?

A full map of Scotland's gritting fleet can be found at scotgov.maps.

Double click to zoom in on the map, and click and drag your cursor to explore the interactive map of Scotland.

What are Scotland’s gritters called?

Gritter Thunberg

Grit Expectations

Grittle Mix

Lew-Ice Capaldi

Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie

Gangsta Granny Gritter

Luke Snowwalker

Snow Destroyer

Sir Grits-A-Lot

Sprinkles

Plougher O'Scotland

Ready Spready Go

Ice Queen

Snowball

The Golden Great Gritter

Gritty Gonzalez

Sandy The Solway Salter

Snowkemon Go

Sir Andy Flurry

Ice Buster

Mrs McGritter

Mr Plow

Gritallica

The Snow Solution

Grittle Mix

My Name'5 Doddie

Slippy McGritty

Gritty Gritty Bang Bang

For Your Ice Only

Grits-N-Pieces

How to drive in snow and ice

Of course the gritters are out there for a reason: to keep the roads safe during the wintry conditions.

Here's how you can minimise risk while driving in snow and ice according to the Scotsman’s cars expert Matt Allan:

“It can be hard to tell if a road is icy. If your tyres are making virtually no noise on the road you could well be driving on ice. If you are on sheet ice, don’t brake as this will make you skid further.

"If you find yourself behind a gritter or snow plough, only overtake it if it is safe to do so. Drive carefully, as there may well be uncleared snow on the road ahead.

"Remember, braking distances are increased by as much as 10 times in snow and ice, so leave a much larger gap to the vehicle in front.”