| Show Winter Ski Trips More Hazardous Than Tian j Skiing TilE THE to and from the ski area is often orten a far more hazardous venture than the ac actual actual actual ac- ac skiing the safety authority authority authority author author- ity said Most Mot ski enthusiasts spend days planning a ski trip buying and maintaining equipment equipment equipment equip equip- ment getting the proper clothing clothIng clothing cloth- cloth Ing and in making advance res res- res- res Yet so few take the the little time necessary to see that their car is ready for the trip Even more surprising most skiers wouldn't think of starting down a slope unless they were sure their ski equipment was in safe operating condition but some of these same skiers give little or no advance thought to the condition of their cars As ski enthusiasts throughout the nation headed for the hills a word of warning was issued by Gerald W W. W Shipman Executive Executive Executive tive Secretary of of the Michigan State Safety Commission WE HOPE skiers will ski on our slopes and not on our highways highways highways high high- ways he said Its It's unfortunate that the very ingredient snow ingredient snow that that is essential for skiing is also the ingredient that makes highways treacherous Mr Sl Shipman pointed out that the best skiing weather often co coIncides coincides coincides co- co with the worst driving conditions and urged drivers to prepare their cars accordingly before embarking on a a weekend ski trip v POINTING OUT that inadequate made quate quat traction and reduced d I visibility visibility vis vis- are the principal hazards haz hazl ards likely to be encountered at ai f this time of year Mr Shipman recommended a trip pre-trip vehicle ve ve- ve hicle up check-up paying particular lar attention to the brakes brakes tires lights battery heater defroster and windshield wl wip P e ers I IBe Be sure your tires have good treads Conventional snow tires help particularly in loosely packed snow Studded snow tires are good on icy pavements but it is important to the driver to know that on wet pavement the they do not have as much stopping power as regular treads Carry y reinforced tire chains in your trunk in case of severe snow snow t and ice conditions I I THEY PRO PROVIDE VIDE four to sevi sevien en times as much pulling power as regular tires without chains and are particularly helpful for tor climbing Icy grades or pulling through deep snow S j Most important concluded Mr Shipman check your ing habits We want skiers t to come and enjoy our ski areas and to have a safe and pleasant trip And we want them to get their thrills on the slopes noton not noton on the highways t |
