The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-12-15

Washington, Dec. 15-The War Department and the nations police chiefs today announced plans for counter attack on General Win ter's" forces in 36 snow and ice affected states.
 Traffic tie-ups ana accidents to war-esSential vehicles and workers must be cut to minimum when severe conditions arrive" was the gist of 8 joint statement by Under Secretary of War Robert P. Patter- son and Safety Director Robert E.. Raleigh of the International Asso- citation of Chiefs of Police.
 Winter driving hazards are an i important salient on the public safety and war production sectors which, when severe weather arrives, can hamper home-front war activi- ties that are vital to victory" the statement said.
 Citing practical prevention methods to minimize major winter hazards-inadequate traction and reduced visibility-the authorities emphasized that traffic tie-ups and accidents can be avoided by cooper ation of essential drivers and cer- tain portions of the public which must "get there safely and on time"
 ''When dangerous conditions exist during and immediately after snow or Sleet storms drivers must cooper ate by reducing speed even below 35, maintaining adequate vision with windshield wipers and defrosters, and necessary traction by putting on anti-skid chains-or else don't drive" the authorities warned. Traffic will be heavier during severe weather this winter, partic- ularly in areas with important war work, and traffic blockades, semi- blind driving and slckening skid- wrecks must be prevented by praci- cal means"
 Based on wartime research by the National Safety Councils commit tee on Winter Driving Hazards, the following rules are recommended to minimize primary problems when dangerous weather prevails.
 WINTER RULES
 1. IF YOU MUST DRIVE THIS WINTER. Fill your vehicle to con- fortable capacity and go prepared to get through, regardless of snow, ice, cold and longer hours of dark ness. Share your car whenever pos- sible, but drive extra careful. CDTTDC RKTTCT1 T2r prrNYTTSuTN ON SNOW OR ICE. It's now un- patriotic to drive over 35 m.p.h. at any time, but on packed-snow or ice speed should be below even 35. Adjust speed to conditions. Avoidable traffic tieups and accidents will not be tolerated. Leave vehicle in garage if unprepared during severe condi- tions; you might have accident or get stalled and tie up essential traffic vital to war work.
 3. EVEN NEW TIRE THREADS SPIN AND SLIDE ON SNOW OR ICE WITHOUT CHAINS. It takes l 3 to II times normal distance to stop on snow or ice with good tires. Anti-skid chains reduce braking dis tance 40 to 50 per cent on snow or ice, and without them you can't get up or down slippery hills. Tires that spin on snow, dig to pavement, waste gas and wear tires.
 4. SKIDS ON SNOW OR ICE FREQUENTLY START BY UNI EQUALIzED BRAKES. Have your checked. The practice of letting air out of tires to prevent skidding is a fallacy. It gives very little added traction and increases instability and skidding on curces. It also dam ages tires, making them very sus- ceptible to blowouts.
 5. WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR DEFROSTERS THAT DON'T WORK CAUSE WINTER AC- CIDENTS. Make sure yours are in good working order. You must be