Crikey, you're right. Round here they drive like nutters. I actually know a bloke who drives the gritters, he got his HGV licence and just drives casual. Good job I'd imagine if you don't have to do it full time and probably well paid too. The rest of the time he just seems to mess around in his Land Rover; he lives at home so no need for a proper job!
My worst journey home was about 18 years ago when it snowed one afternoon and the gritter got stuck on the M66 so they diverted everything through Bury and Ramsbottom. My 15 minute commute turned into 6 hours and 15 minutes and at the end, taking a short cut along a farm lane into the village I got hit by the milk tanker.