Smyrna times., 1940-02-29
SKIDDING WORST
ROAD HAZARD
Safety Council Gives Rules to
Prevent Automobile Ac-
cidents i'm Winter
PREVENTION METHODS


automobile crashes are not far be
hind, and it's not always fair wealth
er when good fellows get together
unless they're prepared for safe
winter driving.
The National Safety council, whose
committee on winter driving haZ.
ards has conducted comprehensive
research and tests of all problems
created by "Old Man Winter" has
revealed practical prevention meth
DDS resulting from the study which
will do much to cut down the 40
per cent increase of deaths and ac-
cidents during winter months in
northern states.
The greatest winter hazard is
skidding and inadequate traction,
the committees research proved.
Stopping distances without tire
chains or cinders are from five to
eight times longer on sleet or ice
than on dry pavement, and three to
five times longer on packed snow
than on dry pavement.
Reduced visibility was clearly
shown as the second most impor-
tant hazard. Snow storms, in addi-
ton to obscuring the highway. often
hide vehicles stalled because of in
adequate traction. There are also
more hours of darkness in winter.
While decreased traction and visi-
bility are the principal hazards, the
following logical eleven" set of
rules cover all problems of winter
motoring and study of them now
may save your life or prevent Sc
we're injuries and property damage
later.
Some Safety Rules.
/. Check electrical and exhaust
systems, windshield wipers and keep
brakes equa1ized. Keep tire chains,
defrosters, and other vital equip
ment in good condition for use when
needed. Distribute the cars load
evenly.
2. Maintain adequate vision
through windshield and windows.
Circulate fresh air by opening cowl
ventilator, rather than side win
dows, which tend to suck exhaust
gases through the floor boards.
8. On slippery surfaces, keep
speed down and the car in gear.
Avoid situations requiring quick
stops and sudden changes Of direc-
ton.
4. Speeds on ice should not be
excessive even with abrasives on the
ice or with tire chains. Chains or
cinders provide needed safety fac
tor. making 20 miles an hour on
ice reasonably safe. Without them
the same speed is extremely haz-
ardous and speeds lower than IS
miles an hour are imperative.
5. The common practices of low
ering tire pressure or Of increasing
The load give only slightly more
traction and not nearly sufficient for
all-around safety. These practices
also damage tires. Non-skid tread
Tres are definitely helpful on wet
pavement and to a very limited ex-
.ent on snow. but they give no more
anti-skid protection on ice than
smooth tires.
s. Tire chains are the best self
ielp for the passenger car motor
81. They are recommended for
irving on ice and, in most in
stances, on snow-especially on |
lard packed snow. Chains on the
ear wheels alone viii reduce stop
,ing distances on ice 25 to IS per
,ent, and on all four wheels 40 to
% per cent over even new tires.
IN packed snow tire chains cut STOP
ling % per cent when on rear
wheels, and 81 per cent if used on
II four wheels. However. these re-
luctions do not warrant high speeds.
,hains are particularly recommend
d on icy hills and for heavy We
Iicles. Trucks with trailer units
hould use chains on wheels of trail
= as well as tractor.
Watch for Ice.
z. On wet and even dry pave
nent. always anticipate ice on
ridges. in shaded spots. around
urves and over hills, and when
having temperatures are dropping.
8. Start by releasing the clutch
lowly, with engine idling and the
ar in low gear, and accelerate eau
iously to avoid spinning the rear
wheels. Without chains on an icy
Dad, it is unsafe to overtake ve-
icles in urban areas and hazardous
n rural areas unless the road ahead
S clear for at least half mile.
8. Pump the brakes in stopping,
ven when using chains. to keep the
gheels rolling. Slow down in gear
0 about 10 miles an hour. then re-
ease the clutch for the final stop.
10. Keep a steady foot on the ac-
elerator to avoid spinning the rear
yheels. II skid starts. turn the
ront wheels in the direction the car
5 skidding.
IL. When it is slippery try out the
rakes occasionally to get the feel
a Al