Minnesota Highways, December 1952

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VOL. 2, NO. 2
1246 University Ave., St. Paul 4, Minn.
DECEMBER, 1952
There's A Right And A Wrong Way
Remember back when automobiles were put up on
blocks for the winter? The radiator was drained and the
battery removed; sometimes even a covering thrown over it,
making the horsehair cushions ideal winter homes for squirrels.
Then along came a fledgling Highway Department, with
VHAiitiona! funds from a new-fangled tax on gasoline. Some
<Wnomist figured out that if winter driving could be made
more sure and safe, the increased tax revenue from additional
gasoline sales would cover the jump in maintenance costs,
should Minnesota's highways be kept open 365 days of the
year. So out came plows and other equipment that removed
snow and ice, and all-weather roads were developed out of
what had been rutted trails. Net result? Motorists traveled
all year 'round in their own cars.
First orders instructed the maintenance men to leave a layer of
snow several inches thick on tire
highway—to permit the use of
horse-drawn sleighs. Later the
shoulders were kept in condition
for sleds. Now, how Jong has it
been since you've seen a runner
on  a  major trunk highway?
Of course, it wasn't just that
way. Much of the winter maintenance resulted from demands of
motorists who found all-weather
driving possible as vehicles were
oved. But it is true, the de-
'sing numbers of cars put to
bed for the winter did result in
additional revenues that paid the
heavy costs of snow and ice removal.
This leads to our warning, if
you own and drive an automobile,
you have two choices ahead of
you. Like your father, you can
put "Old Betsy" away for the winter, or you can adjust your driving
to winter's hazards. Our bet is
that you will put up with winter
and keep right on driving.
Winter adds two important factors to the usual year 'round driving hazards. They are reduced
visibility and inadequate traction.
We can easily adjust to them, but
most of us do so much too late.
Now is the time to anticipate them.
Reduced visibility not only results from frosted windshields, fog
^condensation on windows, but
longer hours of darkness, inclement winter weather,  and  ob
structions to drivers' vision from
banks of snow and from loose
blowing snow.
These are important factors
when you learn that in 1951 the
driver's vision was obscured, in
one out of eight fatal accidents;
and that the mileage death rate at
night teas about three tknes the
daytime rate.
Snow, sleet, ice and wet pavements are causes of inadequate
traction.   Wheels spinning on ice
GET THE FEEL OF THE
ROAD. Try brakes occasionally
while driving slowly and away
from traffic. Find out just how
slick the road is. EXPERT drivers
don't skid.
SLOW DOWN. Adjust speed to
road and weather conditions. Be
able to stop and maneuver safely.
You can't stop on an icy dime.
KEEP THE WINDSHIELD
CLEAR of snow and ice, fog and
frost. Be sure headlights, windshield wiper blades and defrosters
are in top condition. You have to
see danger in time to avoid it.
USE TIRE CHAINS on snow
and ice. They cut stopping distances about half, give 4 to 7
times more starting and climbing
traction ability. But even with the
lielp of chains, slower than normal
speeds are a "must".
PUMP YOUR BRAKES to slow
down or stop. Jamming them on
can lock the wheels and throw you
into a dangerous skid. A little
skidding carries you a long way.
FOLLOW AT A SAFE DISTANCE. Keep well back of the
vehicle ahead—give yourself room
to stop. Remember, without tire
chains, it takes 3 to 12 times as
far to stop on snow and ice.
and compacted snow, or churning
through drifts, often have no forward thrust to drive and control
the vehicle. But this slipping and
skidding, reduced traction factors
dangerous at any time, have unpredictable results on braking dis-
"Streamline your club with a vote for Miller" was plugged by these ardent
rooters for Cliff Miller in a spontaneous pre-election campaign during a recent
noon-hour. Bill Klett brought these two lovelies from Traffic and Safety to remind
Hiwayan Club members to vote. On the left Bonnie Feil is wearing a gown that is
over a hundred years old, the property of Mrs. Genevieve Charles' mother-in-law.
On the right Mickey Kunsman shows a lot of progress in the last one hundred
years  made  by Jantzen.
tances.
That inadequate traction is
dangerous is found in these facts:
in one out of six fatal accidents
during 1951, the weather was
rainy, snowy or foggy; an unfavorable road condition such as wet,
muddy, snowy or icy was listed
for nearly one out of four fatal
accidents.
The problem of winter driving
and its dangers has been illustrated
in a report, Here Are The Facts!
of the Committee On Winter Driving Hazards of the National Safety
Council. C. L. Motl, Minnesota
Maintenance Engineer, and Ralph
H. Sprungman, Minneapolis Traffic Engineer, are members of this
committee.
This group has been working
since 1939, out on snow and ice-
covered roads and on frozen lakes
in just about every kind of weather. They used all types of equipment in carrying out their research
projects, testing techniques and
safe driving practices for both
passenger cars and trucks.
Out of their work on winter
driving hazards they came up
with six rules for safe driving.
These they recommend as "musts"
for safety.
(Continued   on   page   5)