SAFETY FIRST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 87, 22 January 1938, Page 3

SAFETY FIRST.

THE DANCER OF SKIDDING. “In the latest analysis of accident statistics issued by the Transport De--1 partmqnt it is shoAvn that in 175 instances accidents were caused through motor-vehicles skidding,” says the latest safety message ol the Automobile Association, Canterbury, Incorporated. “This suggests, indeed it is proof, that motorists are not as proficient as they ought to be in countering the effects of skid and sideslip. There are very many drivers whose ordinary every day motoring does not bring them face to face, so to speak, Avitli the embarrassment of a- skid or side-slip. They may travel day in and day out over good road surfaces, and never find it necessary to get themselves out of a skid difficulty. The new motorist may learn to steer, accelerate, use the brake and so oil, and may reveal marked proficiency in keeping out ol trouble, but one day on a tour shingled road surface may be traversed, or a particularly Avet or greasy piece of paved road may be met combined Avith the circumstances of other traffic or some sudden emergency. If such drivers are not prepared beforehand to bring the required skill into play to meet situations as they occur serious trouble may result.

“It is worth noting that in 524 accidents in the March-Deeember period wet bitumen had something to do Avith matters, 381 Avere in loose metal and 121 on wet concrete. Those figures read in conjunction Avitli those of skidding make It clear how A'itally important it is for drivers to know just Avhat they should or should not do Avhen skid or side-slip occur, when one feels that the road surface is taking control from the man at the wheel. It is an uncomfortable feeling.

“Extricating ones self from a skid can be safely, practised by drivers in some convenient place of course. It it practice which every driver should have. It is too late to practice when the trouble looms up. Skids have caused many deaths not only to drivers but also to passengers. “Always steer into a skid; that is run Avitli the skid as a sudden turn of the Avlieel aAvay from the direction °I the skid has the effect of increasing the skid or side-slip and of turning the car over. Likewise, braking will aggravate a skid, and tend to turn a car over. Steer with the skid and gradually out of it.

“But it is a wise motorist whose speed matches Avith au adequate safety margin the road surface on which he is travelling. Skid conditions are obvious to careful drivers and careful drivers avoid the risk of skids.”