Nearly 2,000 Tons of Salt Used to De-Ice County Roads

Twenty-two auto collisions occurred between 10 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday as the ice-covered roads presented a treacherous path for night drivers, according to Anne Arundel County Fire Department spokesman Chief Michael Cox.

In an effort to avoid similar numbers during the day, the Department of Public Works focused primarily on salting and monitoring road conditions throughout the night and morning, Public Informations Officer for the Anne Arundel County Government Tracie Reynolds said.

"Their organized and well-executed response coupled with rising road surface temperatures, made for a commute that improved throughout the morning," Reynolds said.

Approximately 98 salt trucks and an estimated 1,900 tons of salt were used to treat highways, neighborhood and side roads throughout the county, she said. 

The primary cause of the accidents was ice, but none of the incidents were serious, said Cox. 

The roads could become icy once more with weather forecasters predicting an 80 percent chance of rain Tuesday night into Wednesday and lows in the twenties. Thursday is expected to bring sunshine, but another mix of snow and rain is in store Thursday night into Friday, according to the National Weather Service.