The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-13

41lC 6ldElllnlk 1lCICdoC HI VANAAAS fatalities during the past month coupled with the sleet and snow which swept Litchfield County dur ing the storm last week have promp- ted Commissioner Michael A. Con- nor of the State Department of Mo- tor Vehicles to issue his annual statement warning motorists and pedestrians of the hazards of street and highway travel during the win ter months, earlier than usual.
 Forty six persons lost their lives as the result of traffic accidents during october of this year." said the Commissioner, "an increase of twenty-nine over last year"
 November and December are us- ually the worst months of the year for traffic fatalities" he explained, "eighty-three having lost their lives during that period last year, and eighty-nine during the last two months of 1937."
 Record Repeats
 It was explained that if the Mo- vember-December record of the past two years is to repeat itself this year. the record for the last three months of 1889 will be one of the worst in history The commissioner warned that freezing temperatures on stormy days change wet surfaces into ice-glazed highways, presenting vehicular and pedestrian traffic with most dangerous hazard"
 "Wintry blasts accompanied by snow and ice will probably be with us toward the end of the month" he continued, recalling the heavy storm which swept Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day last year, when many accidents, involving both mo- torists and pedestrians, were report ed as the result of ice and snow on our roads.
 The fact that stopping distances on ice, without chains or sand, are from five to eight times longer than on 6 dry pavement and three to five times longer on packet snow should be e matter of great concern to pedestrians as well as motorists. It was emphasized.
 In view of such hazards pedeS- trians should stop and think before stepping off the curb on icy days.
 Longer hours of darkness, freezing windShields, sleet and snow storms are the major factors which cause reduced driving visibility during the winter months. Operators must com pensate for such hazards by driving at reduced speeds: pedestrians like wise by using greater caution.
 Commissioner Connor urges mo- torists and pedestrians to adopt the following tips on safe use of streets and highways during the winter sea- son. Be careful" he urged, land outsmart Old Man Winter"
 Gives Suggestions
 !. Check electrical and exhaust systems, windshield wipers and keep brakes equalized Keep tire chains, deSroSters. and other vital equip- ment in good condition for use whtn needed. Distribute the cars lcaS evenly.
 2. Speeds on ice should not be excessive even with abrasives on the ice or with tire chains. Chains or abrasives provide a needed safety factor, making 20 miles an hour on Ice reasonably safe. Without them. the same speed is extremely hazard ous and speeds lower than Is miles an hour are imperative.
 5. The common practice of low ering tire pressure or of increasing the load gives only slightly more traction and not nearly sufficient for around safety. These practices also damage tires. Non-skid tires are helpful on wet pavement and. to a very limited extend on snow, but they give no more anti-skid protec- ton on ice than smooth tires.
 I. Tire chains are the best self help for the passenger car motorist. They are recommended for driving on Ice and. in most instances. on snow = especially on hard d-packed snow. Chains on the rear wheels alcne will reduce stopping distances on Ice 2S to 35 per cent, and on all four wheels. 40 to 50 per cent over bare tires. On packed snow. tire chains cut stopping 28 per cent when on rear wheels, and 5l per cent If used on all four wheels. However, these reductions do moi warrant high speeds. Chains are particularly recommended on lev hills and for heavy vehicles. Trucks with trailer units should use chains on wheels of trailer as well as trac- tor.
 Adequate Vision
 5. Maintain adequate vision through windshield and windows Circulate fresh air by opening cowl ventilator, rather than side windows which tend to suck exhause gases through the floor boards.
 6. On wet and even dry pave- ment, always anticipate ice on bridc- es, in shaded spots, around curves and over hills, and when thawine temperatures are dropping.
 '. Start by releasing the clutch
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