The people's voice., 1943-01-01
WINTER DRIVING
SUGGESTIONS
BY PATROL CHIEF

With severe winter road conditions
lprobable in some sections of the state
Col. Chas L. Sheridan, supervisor of
the Montana Highway Patrol, issued
timely rules to avoid accidents and
traffic tie-ups.
Need to minimize skid-wrecks and
snow-ice stalled traffic this winter is
obvious" Col. Sheridan declared, "and
war-workers and the other essential
civilians who must drive regardless
of weather should be. prepared to get
there safely and on time"
He advocated that wartime winter
driving rules, based on research by
the National Safety Councils Commit
tee on Winter Driving Hazards, be
given immediate consideration. They
follow:
1. Major hazards of winter driving
are inadequate traction and reduced
vision. DOS" for snow or ice COW
cred roads: Reduce speeds below even
the new 35 MPH. limit Put ON
your anti-skid chains to get through,
and get through safely when severe
conditions prevail. That old alibi 81
skidded" is no excuse, and avoidable
traffic tie-ups are unfair to war pro-
duction Check windshield wiper, de-
froster and lights; you must "see" a
hazard to avoid 1t. Share your car
or join group-riding club.
2. "Don'ts" during billiards, snow
or sleet storms Don't take your car
out If unprepared for conditions, you
may have an accident or get stalled
and tie up essential traffic, possibly
vital to the war effort. Don't expect |
three to eleven times normal distance |
to stop on snow or ice without tire |
chains, and you can't negotiate slip |
perry hills with bare tires that spin |
on packed snow. Spinning, particu-
larly when stuck in deep snow, digs
to pavement, grinds off rubber, wastes
gas. Use chains or get tow.
8. In event of an "alert" or air raid
alarm. DOS" when sirens sound
Park car Turn off ALL lights. Set
hand brake. Lock ignition. Get out.
Seek shelter. "Don'ts" are: Lock
your vehicles doors. 1t may have to
be moved by hand or other means
And last, don't forget your dos" or
'don'ts." Memorize these rules or
paste on dash board! It's Vital to
victory!"
While gas rationing and patriotic
irving economies will greatly reduce
.otal mileage this winter, Col. Sheri-
Ian pointed out that amount of es-
;ential motor vehicle usage, meaning
he type of cars and trucks which
lave to get through during danger
'us weather and road conditions, will
increase. This will be par
icularly true in war production areas,
and rural communities
where rail or bus service may not be
BILE to handle all of additional loads :
which storm weather always brings
o common carriers.
Snow removal crews will do their I
est and keep important roads open, d
ut Old Man Winter at intervals can
utdo best highway clearance and it Z
3 imperative that essential drivers
e prepared" he said Lives, We
icles and man-hours must be con- ,
ervedl Practical precautions are a
atriotic duty necessary for personal
afety and that of fellow workers"
Labor shortage for snow removal,
)gether with reduced gas tax rev >
nue and fact there is no new blowing II
0nditions in some communities, it ic
as said. Highway departments have y
so been warned to save plow blades L
7 not scraping close to surface. Vital el
dustrial and military areas will be q
Ired for first. "