Milford chronicle., 1949-01-28
Safety Council Notes

When people get expert at any
thing says the Delaware Safety
Council, they're apt to begin getting
careless about il, and that's what
we have to look out for when driy-
ing our cars. For instance, ttis easy
TO become careless about dimmfng
our lights. How our own headlights
affect other drivers on the road has
q lot to do with their safety and
ours, so it's a good thing to keen in
mind, and a real courtesy Of the
road" to switch to a lower or
passing" beam whenever another
car comes in sight, urges the COun-
ell.
There is another thing about
Dight driving that Is very important.
too. It's called "Over-driving our
headlights" 1t means that the dis
tance We can see clearly by head !
lights is, Of course, limited and
that we are apt to let our car speeds
get beyond the point where we
could easily stop within that limited !
distance. It's true that we naturally |
tend to go little slower at night, |
but Il we aren't careful we gradual !
" get going faster than we realize, !
and that may get us into trouble.
After all, headlights don't give us
the distance or clarity OF vision
that daylight does. So, on consider
ably shorter notice than in the day
time a vehicle or pedestrian can
come out of the darkness. Almost
before we know it we may have to
slow down or stop for someone or
something on the road, perhaps one
Of those big powerful trucks that
you barely see till you're uD on
them; or a car whose tail-light has
gone out an unexpected curve, or
what not.
The important thing to realize is
That distance needed to stop increas-,
es' great deal as we increase our |
speed.
We just have to remember thatE
when we're moving along in a car.
We think by the foot, act by the foot.
and stop by the foot and that If
We aren't careful, it's pretty easy to |
get going faster than is really safe.
The truth Of the matter Is that
night driving can be just as pleasant /
and safe as day driving. But we do
nave to be just a little more alert,
little more careful, and a little
more considerate Of other drivers.
Can you stop in tfme?"
That's a question for which Won
must provide the answer. The eau
ton you apply in your driving will
detremine that answer and also
the time you'll need to make that
stop, according to the Delaware
Safety Council.
stopping time involves you ard
your car, the car ahead and its
driver, and often the second car
ahead and it's driver, and the traf-
nc signs as we'll. If you are care
ful yourself. and watchful of other
drivers and the signs intended TO
guide you, you should be able to
stop in time!
Almost half OF all traffic acci-
dents in cities occur at intersec-
tons, according to the NATIONAL
Safety Council II is there that
every driver must be on his toes in
the interest of everyOne's traffic
safety. i is there, too, that the
pedestrian must be taken into
special account! Remember. also"
says the Council, that a pedestrian
might try to cross the street be-
tween intersections so be On the
lookout for those on foot"
We may not have snow and ice
In the winter months but we do
nave rainy, slippery pavements.
and must DRIVE SLOWLY to avoid
mishaps." we must bear in mindl
that brakes applied suddenly on, a
slippery pavement may cause dang
erous skidding so apply them grad
ually, driving slowly enough Sol
they won't grab" Lowered speed
Is essential to traffic safety in slip
rfnFtu rrfao ff.a-sffB l-H.