HOW TO HANDLE SLIPPERY ROADS

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

HOW TO HANDLE SLIPPERY ROADS
MEXICO, NY: One October morning Darwin G. was a little late and used his heavy foot to help him get to work on time. The roads were dry and he felt quite safe with the excessive speed. But on NY Route 104, West of I-81 he entered a wet spot which was partly black ice. Having just completed a safe driving refresher course he handled the skid perfectly and saved himself from big trouble and expense.

What Darwin had just renewed in the adult learning class was this advice for avoiding skids:
· Remove your foot gradually from the accelerator.
· Avoid rapid stopping or quick turning until the tires “feel” like they have regained their traction.
· Pump the brakes gently, or with anti-lock brakes step heavily on the brake pedal.
·
Once a skid starts it takes fast thinking to do the following safely in the few seconds available:
· Keep your foot off the brake pedal. Hard braking will lock the wheels and worsen the skid. If braking appears to be necessary use gentle pumping EXCEPT for anti-lock brakes which should be applied forcefully.
· Quickly turn the steering wheel in the direction the BACK of the vehicle is skidding to straighten to the desired safe direction.
· As soon as straightening begins, turn the steering wheel back to avoid a skid in the opposite direction.
· Continue the left and right steering until you can bring the car to a safe stop

Better to be careful and avoid getting into a skid as the recovery is more difficult than the above suggestions sound.

When I was age 16 (1942) in Rochester, NY we kids practiced skids in an old Model A Ford on frozen ponds in both Seneca and Highland parks. It was a not too smart winter sport as sometimes the car would hit an ice-air pocket and drop a few feet into the shallow water underneath. Years later as a parent I frowned upon this practice as did my parents before me!
GHD175 all rights reserved

HOW TO LOSE YOUR LICENSE

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist


HOW TO LOSE YOUR LICENSE
GLASGOW, KY: Our reader Aileen T advises all Kentucky drivers on how to protect their license from suspension or revocation. In KY (and other states) these reasons may cause the loss:
· Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances (DUI).
· Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
· Perjury or false affidavit to the Transportation Cabinet
· Felony involving use of a motor vehicle.
· Reckless driving -- three convictions within 12 months.
· Leaving the scene of an accident, failure to stop and disclose identity.
· Theft of a motor vehicle or any part thereof.
· Failure to maintain Liability Insurance.
· Failure to satisfy a Citation or Court Summons.
· Failure to enroll in or complete State Traffic School upon Court sentence.
· Failure to satisfy a judgment for damages resulting from motor vehicle operation.
· Failure to appear for interview for accumulating 6 points on moving violations.
· Racing a motor vehicle upon a public highway.
· Attempting to elude a Police Officer.
· Failure to pay child support
Similar rules exist in most other states. Drive carefully, obey all the laws and you will save your license and a lot of grief.
GHD174 all rights reserved

SEEING IS MOST IMPORTANT

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

SEEING IS MOST IMPORTANT
GASSAWAY, WV: Writes Alfredo G. from his home in WV, “there is only one of the five senses whose loss completely disqualifies one from the privilege of driving. We can compensate for loss of the other senses but not for seeing.” Which is to say, most of the requirements for safely driving a vehicle depend upon being able to see properly. Judging distances, and hence speed, depends upon good depth perception. Being able to see clearly well ahead of our vehicle is necessary. Also, having good side vision is required to know what hazards are along both sides, beyond whatever may be showing in the mirrors.

As we age it becomes more difficult to see clearly at night, or in rain, sleet, snow, fog and dust storms. Headlight glare presents dangerous situations. Inability to see well in dim light is truly a safety problem.

Alfredo tells this story on himself: he is age 59, in good health except for cataract surgery/lens implant in the right eye and waiting for the left cataract to ripen for surgery. Recently he has had 3 fender benders on mall parking lots, and more street close calls at night than he wants to admit to his children. At night, when it has started to rain, he has to phone for his wife to come fetch him home.

So, Alfredo has voluntarily given up night driving, at least until the left eye is repaired. Also, he is more careful in all daylight driving and parking. Especially, he says, he is a great bit safer driving around the perimeter of a parking lot rather than zipping across the parking spaces as he did previously. Temporarily giving up all driving is not a viable option for him because there is no alternate transportation available in his area.

Changes in eye sight often occur so slowly that we are not aware of the decline, even when others complain about our poor driving. A professional vision check at least every two years could be a life saver, for you, a loved one, or an innocent stranger.
GHD173 all rights reserved http://wrecklessdrive.blogspot.com/