[cripplecreek]

Sand and salt are for two different purposes.

Sand for giving the ice some grip and salt for melting and breaking up the ice.

[Blue Jays]

My personal feeling is that there is no salt shortage.
Price is being driven due to panic by local government and landscapers seeking to purchase large quantities.

Salt, brine, and sand all have a purpose in helping to make winter roads safer.
A wise motorist will also get snow tires (mounted to cheap steel rims) to use during snow season before swapping wheels again.