Show motorists warned to drive with care As winter lee ice raises traffic hazards CHICAGO remembering last winters tall fall down the front steps he average person probably will tell IV u that ice is ice and that its al ways slippery hell be right but theres more to it than that ice is much more slippery when its wet than when its dry at least so far as automobile tires are concerned this was the most striking fact brought out by ralph A moyer associate professor of highway engineering at iowa state college and chairman of the national safety councils special committee on winter driving hazards the committees annual report was presented before persons at the national safety congress last fall all phases of accident prevention were studied at the congress the committees report is based on the most exhaustive skidding tests ever conducted for two ajr beeks w last february automobiles 11 ayere sent spinning over the frozen surface of lake cadillac michigan in an effort to gather information which would protect motorists from the hazards of winter driving cars were driven over the lakes smooth ice under many different conditions to determine the weathers effect on driving safety thawing ice slipperier it was found that ice is somewhat sticky at near zero temperatures but above 20 degrees and when the sun comes out beware brakes are only half as eff effective active on thawing ice acceleration is reduced 70 per cent and the maximum speed on curves is 50 per cent lower winter presents a tough problem for traffic safety experts traffic death rates go up in all sections of the country as the mercury goes down traffic death rates in winter are about 40 per cent higher than summer rates in the northern half of the country and about 20 per cent in the southern half the chief reason of course is skidding on snow or ice covered roads skidding is involved in only 1 per cent of the accidents on dry roads but on wet roads the figure is as high as 27 per cent and on snowy or icy roads up to 50 per cent the second most important reason is poorer visibility resulting from more hours of darkness snow and sleet storms and fog these hazards can be largely overcome the committee says by correct driving practices adequate equipment and proper maintenance of the roadway tire chains effective use of tire chains is the most practical means of self help for increasing traction on snow and ice on rear wheels only chains cut braking distance and increase acceleration an average of 40 per cent as compared with tires alone on all wheels chains further decrease braking distance 30 per cent as compared with chains on rear wheels performance of chains is fairly uniform on ice at all temperatures a big advantage over the variable performance of tires on ice speeds should not be much higher with chains than without however and on icy curves speeds with chains should be no higher than without them safe driving requires more skill and caution in winter mechanical safeguards cannot be relied upon to take the place of ordinary common sense the important thing is to greatly reduce speed sp eed and keep the car under control at all times wise motorists will investigate weather and road conditions before starting a trip and if possible postpone or interrupt it when weather conditions are hazardous everything possible should be done to maintain adequate vision windshield and windows must be clear of frost and snow heaters windshield wipers and defrosters def rosters should be in good condition lights should be properly focused and aimed think ahead the report does not recommend letting air out of tires on slippery roads since the added traction for R Y t 4 oscar the michigan state highway departments dummy meets a pedestrians fate in front of a skidding automobile but the real jaywalker hops to safety michigan highway officials and the national safety council operated cooperated co in conducting winter driving tests on frozen lake cadillac michigan blich igan stopping is slight and the tendency to skid on curves is increased also tires with good treads while safer on dry and wet roads give no better performance on snow and ice than smooth tires thinking ahead anticipating emergencies is more important in winter because sudden stops and turns are impossible on slippery roads watch out for varying conditions of the road surface dont take it tor for granted that because part of the pavement is clear all of it is free of ice anticipate ice around curves and over hills in shady spots and on bridges remember that ice is more slippery when it is thawing watch out tor for the sudden freeze in late afternoon which may convert a wet pavement into an icy one keep a steady toot on the accelerator too fast acceleration may spin the wheels causing a side skid slow down gradually once a skid starts turn the front wheels in the direction the car is skidding leave the car in gear and dont apply the brakes highway departments can do much to reduce winter traffic hazards the committee reported highway officials should strive to keep roads clear by prompt and complete snow removal establish uniform and effective systems of road condition reporting and adequately warn the motorist of the presence of snow plows and other equipment or culvert headwalls guard rails and other low obstructions covered by ul drifted gifted snow they should improve traction on ice by spreading abrasives treated with calcium or sodium chloride released by western newspaper union |