The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-01-01
Winter Driving
Doubles Danger Says
Highway Officer

HELENA, Mont, Dec. 22.-(Spe-
cial Mid winter doubles driving
dangers, Montana motorists were
warned today by Col. Charles L.
Sheridan, chief of the State High
way Patrol.
He compared December with DR..
Jeckyll and Mr.. Hyde, because as
genial DR.. Jeckyll, it brings Christ
mas and all the holiday joys. as the
fiendish Hyde, with his first bad
snow and ice of the winter. it is
known statistically as the villain
Gus month with highest number of
motor accidents.
Col. Sheridan reported that, at
the present rate, over 40,500 per-
sons will have been killed by au-
tomobiles by the end of 1941.
The patrol supervisor asked mo-
florists to cooperate to the utmost
with snoW-removal crews, which
will dc all possible to keep high
ways open, and offered practical
suggestions to further this coop
Grafton. He reminded drivers that
accidents increase, in northern
states such as Montana, between IS
and 40 per cent in winter months.
Inadequate traction and OBJ
scured vision. are the primary dam.
gers in winter driving, established
through 5000 tests on frozen Lake
Cadillac, Mich, by the National
Safety Councils research commit
tee" Col. Sheridan said. THE au-
thorities emphasized that present
National Defense activity makes it
more imperative than ever to con-
serve cars and aviod traffic acct
dents and tieups; that every driver
should test brakes for simultaneous
gripping and have tire chains ready
and use whenever needed, check
condition of windshield wiper and
defroster, make sure lights are in
good condition, and use traffic
beam in fog or snow storms.
On snow and ice the car should
be kept in gear, and speed should
be reduced. Situations requiring
quick stops and sudden changes in
direction should be avoided.
Tire chains provide much need
ed safety factor on ice"
Co. Sheridan listed the follow
ing seven winter driving threats,
and safeguards in each instance to
give motorists condensed formula
for protecting other motorists, pc
destrians, their cars and themselves.
1. Unqualified brakes frequently
cause skids on ice or snow. Check
and equalize your brakes.
2. The best tire treads will slip
on snow or ice. Tire chains help
prevent skids. Use them when
packed snow or ice conditions pre-
vail -
4 8. Weak windshield wipers and
! defrosters lead to accidents Check
/ and repair Wipers and defrosters if
needed.
I f.. Faulty headlights cause of ac-
cidents. Sealed-beam headlights add
to safety. but quse traffic beam
when passing other cars With any
headlights, replace dead light bulbs
Immediately Have lights checked
4 for focus and direction.
5. High speeds are doubly dan
4 gerous. Drive at reduced speeds.
! Approach icy curves slowly. Avoid
the necessity Of sudden stops.
4 s. "Crowding" other vehicles is
criminal carelessness, Maintain
adequate Roadway between your car
and the car in front. Allow plenty
of elbow room between your car
and cars on each side, Don'DNpass
cars on hills and curves. Its fool
hardy on snow or ice.
! 4 Sudden stops cause sklds.
Chains will help on snow and ice:
They provide forward traction and
reduce space needed for stops to 40
4 to SO per cent over even new tires.
This does not mean chains permit
normal speeds possible on dry pave
ments. They hslp lot, but drivers
should not dissi. tie the extra mar
tgin Of safety.
Remember: An ounce Of prc-eau~
ton is worth pound Of cure.
Col. Sheridan declared the High
way Department viii keep ROADS
open and safe as possible, but warn
ed there is need of reasonable GO,
Operation by drivers with practical