Drivers warned

Press, 21 July 1980, Page 1

Drivers warned

At least two cars had slid off the road near Arthur’s Pass by last evening as Canterbury experienced widespread frosts during the week-end. Nobody was injured in the accidents but the cars had had to be abandoned as they could not be ■reached by rangers from the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, said the senior ranger (Mr J. Charles). The occupants, of the cars had either stayed at the Pass for the night, or had

gained lifts on to Christchurch. The cars had been travelling down an icy slope near Halpins Creek and the drivers must have applied the brakes after feeling « slip, said Mr Charles. Some drivers had driven safely down the slope but others had turned back. Cars were travelling freely up the slope towards the West Coast, but chains had been necessary to get through, in most cases, Mr Charles said. He recommended that cars • carry chains at all times during the winter in

the area, as snow could fall at any time. The Automobile Association (Canterbury) also recommended chains, and advised that extreme care be taken by drivers and pedestrians when going through shaded areas. Christchurch experienced a 6.9 deg. frost on Saturday morning and yesterday morning 6.6 deg. was recorded. The readings at Christchurch Airport showed B.4deg. and 8.1 deg. respectively. The heaviest frost so far this winter was 9.4 deg. last Friday morning.