WIIITY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. MARCH 8,ý1989s PAGE 25 SAFELY with RANDY RANDY McLEAN I5 A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRAFFIC SAFETY. Mr. McLean has reviewed thousands of Individuai, motor vehicle accident reports and his close worklng relatlonships with police agencies, governments, safety assciations, industry and the public, have given hlm a true overvlew of trafflo safety Issues, problemes and solutions ln Canada. ADVICE FOR WJNTER DRIVING (Tie Tires are on the. Outside) Now that it appears winter is finally about to arrive, it's a good time to review our winter driving habita. Every year hundreds of accidents occur on icy rod and during snow storins because too -many of us continue to drive as if it were stili summer, aithough we usually attribut. these accidents t. niotarists forgetting haw to drive on slippery roads. The truth is, we don't really forget how to drive safely, w. simply forget that we need to. We are creatures of habit and aur warmn summer weather driving habits are hard t. break. The best way te think about how you should drive in winter is t. think about how yau walk. On a cold winter night when you leave the office, theatre or skating rink and waik along the. snow and ice covered pavement t.ward your car, you probably walk slowly andcos your steps very carefully to avoid slipping. We waik cautiously because w. can feel the lack of friction between aur boots and the slippery surface. But once inside aur car with the doors closed, heater on and miusic playing, we forget about the traction between aur car tires and the road is often no better than between auir boots and the sidewalk. No matter how much it may feel like suxnmer on the inside, it's still-winter outsidel The lack of friction means that it will take yau longer ta bring your vehicle t., a st.p. To adjust, slow down and leave a greater distance between your car anid the car ahead. This will give you more time ta react and allow you t. slow down gradually while maintaining contrai. Recognizing that winter weather conditions require ail matorists ta, slow down, you should give yourself more time t. get ta your destination. If the trip ta work uaually takes 40 minutes in suxnmer, allow 60 minutes in winter. If you park outdoors, allow an additionai five minutes t., properly clear and defrost your windows. Be extra cautiaus when you notice a change in road surface conditions, such as when yau turn off the main snow plowed highway ont. a snow cavered aide street, or on multilane roads where one lane is more travelled than the others. Left turn lanes, in particular, tend t. b. used less frequently and are often mare snow cavered than the through lanes. Slow down before you enter the left turn Ian.. Remember, the forward momentum, af your car will be directing you t.ward a head on collision if you las. contrai and start ta skid. For this reason, you should aiso enter the turn Ian. at a shallow angle s. you can adjust your steering, if necessary. Ta avoid fishtailing when makting a turn, maintain a constant speed or accelerate slowly. Don't attempt ta, 'junip' through gaps in traffic as you may have done in summer on dry roads. In winter, oncoming motorists may not be able to reduce their sp.ed in time t. avoid a collision. Finally, tae a minute t. dlean your headlights and taillights when you stop for gas. Think about how much dirt and slush is thrown up ont. your windshield and haw niany times you dlean it during winter. That saine dirt is ais. thrown up ont. your car lights. Yet, saine motoriots neyer wash their liglits. They may as well drive with their lights Off. This winter, drive the saine way you walk - cautiously. Drive safely! Join The Winning Team For Ail Your Professional A nd Do- it-Yourself Tool Reciuirements CAMBELL HAUSFELD S2HP, 125 PSI Air Compressor 2HP (125 PSI Air L Compressor) 25% More pressure for improved tool operation On Speclal DUO FAST Air Naiers Trade Inquiries Welcomee TOO LSHACK Suppliers ofllzaU.ki&The right tool for the right job 1543 Bayly Street, Pickering ______~~~Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 6 p.m, Saturday9 - 5p m. 839-2364 I Aii 1