Montana labor news., 1950-12-07
Highways Dangerous
During Holidays

Take time to stay alive in De-
cember!
That appeal was issued 10 Mon
tana motorists and pedestrians this
week by Supervisor Z. II. England OF
the Montana Highway Patrol.
IN the holiday rush which char
acierizes this month, W. may easily
forget ordinary caution just at a
time when extraordinary care is re-
quired," he warned.
"Merry-making festivities reach
their climax during the final weeks
Of the year" il was pointed out
Parties. Christmas vacations for
students. special days off from work.
hectic shopping expeditions and in
creased use OF family cars add to
the seasonal hazards OF darkness.
cold weather and slippery pave
ments."
The state official urged drivers to
use common sense and good judge
menl by adjusting speed to road and
weather conditions, l%engthening the
distance between vehicles, using tire
chains when advisable, signalling
intention to turn, avoiding quick
turns and sudden stops, slowing
down we'll i'll advance of curves and
intersections, and applying brakes
easily and carefully.
In hard-packed snow or ice, mot
orists must limit their speed to the
point where they have a safe margin
within which to maneuver to avoio
colliding with another vehicle o.
striking a chance-taking pedestrian
England warned.
"a big seli-help TO safety on snov
or ice is the use of anti-skid chain.
on tires" the official advised. Test:
BY the National Safety Council show
that tire chains reduce braking dis.
tances on snow or ice R per cent fol
autos and about 65 per cent fo'
trucks and other heavy vehicles
1t was further pointed out tina
accident studies reveal the white
seasons two greatest threats t
traffic safety are inadequate trac
4, ton and reduced visibility.
I Behind the wheel, we must civ
, due allowance. for the longer dist
. ance needed Tor stopping, and "
4 must keep windshields clear an
headlights working properly in ba
weather and after dark Super
!, visor England commented.
ION foot, we must regard tt
curb line as the danger line, waitir
until there is a lull in traffic befol
crossing streets he added. ID
cember is an extremely dangero,
month for both motorists and pede!
trians. One reason is the long
hours OF darkness and another is II
q hazard OF snow and ice.
! "A person can't be too careful III
der these conditions
Professional drivers do not mai
!, light OF a light snowfall, the patro
man warned. "The 'pros'-those me
who operate trucks and cars ov'
short or long distances in all kline
Of weather-appreciate the PREACHER
OF snow or ice in any amsunt,' !
warned.
mi "Such drivers outwit the elemen
u by using their brains more than the
brakes. When driving on snow or &c
they take very seriously the recon
mendations of the National Safe
Councils committee on winter DIR
ing hazards, he stressed. The
. recommendations are:
!. Get the feel Of the road.
\, 2. Adjust speed to road and weatl
err conditions.
3. Keep the windshield and vii
dows clear.
a. Use tire chains for snow and i
conditions.
s. Pump the brakes to stop.
. 6. Follow other vehicles at a Sa
: distance.
"The two main threats to wintc
time road safety are reduced visibil
ty and inadequate traction Englal
again warned. "Mix either OF the
factors with careless driving pra
tees and you have the makings OF
= skid-wrecq with its consequent II
- up OF traffic"