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NORTH

72 - Friday, November 18, 1988 - North Shore News

Play it safe when stranded on the road

SURELY YOUR son put the spare
tire back in the trunk after he had
that flat fixed last week.

You reminded him twice! As
you open the trunk and stare hope-
lessly at the empty tire well, you
realize you're stranded with
another flat on this deserted road
at midnight. And it’s well below
freezing.

Every winter, thousands of Ca-
nadian drivers are stranded
because they failed to service their

Drivers
at fault

POLICE AND transportation of-
ficials usually agree that driver er-
ror is the major contributor to
automobile accidents at intersec-
tions.

Even in cases where weather
conditions have been a factor, nine
out of 10 intersection mishaps are
the direct result of driver error or
inattention.

Either the driver has been

peeding, has not had control of
his/her vehicle, or has committed
an error in judgment.

Driver error does not necessarily
have to be a traffic violation and
very few intcrsection accidents are
the result of mechanical maffunc-
tion.

Here is a look at some of the
frequently-committed driver errors
that lead to intersection accidents:

® trying to beat a traffic light;

e improper left or right-hand
turn;

¢ turning right or left from the
centre lane cf a controlied in-
tersection;

* not stopping for 2 stop sign at
a non-controlled intersection;

© hesitation in deciding who has
the right of way (always the vehicle
to the right) at a non-controiled in-
tersection;

*yot giving the right of way
(not invoking) at a non-controlled
intersection;

© not stopping for the stop sign
and not yielding the right of way at
T-intersections (three-way stops);

* pulling out quickly from a
private drive at an intersection in
an attempt to beat oncoming traf-
fic G.e., gas stations and shopping
plazas);

A common problem intersec-
tion, according to police, is one
that has a slight downgrade, just
before the traffic light, which takes
drivers by surprise, leaving them
without enough time to stop.

One traffic official said that in
about half of the intersection acci-
dents in his district, the vehicles

‘tend to collide at right angles to

each other, and in theory that
shouldn't happen.

‘‘Kt’s frustrating,”? he said,
“‘because traffic signals are sup-
posed to correct that type of colli-
sion.””

In short, the drivers are just in
too much of a hurry. A lack of
left-turn lanes in many established
communities also adds to the pro-
blem at peak traffic periods, caus-
ing drivers to become impatient.

Surprisingly, the majority of ac-
cidents occur during the summer
months of June, July and August
when driving conditions are very
good.

cars ot failed to check to ensure
they had all the basics needed in an
emergency. If you do get stranded,
there are some pointers to follow
to ensure your safety:

Move your car as far over to the
side of the road as possible. Put on
your emergency flashers and light
flares if you have them, being very
careful getting out of your car.

Exit by the door farthest away
from moving traffic if at all possi-
ble. Tie a white or brightly colored
cloth around the radio antenna to
indicate you need help.

Unless you can see a gas station,

AND STAY AT THE
DOUBLETREE INN

(Value $500)

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

FOPCEAE

ON LOCATION diam :

house or telephone within casy
walking distance, it’s safest to stay
in your car where you're protected
from the elements and can be seen
by passing cars.

if you're stranded on a freeway,
get your car to the nearest shoulder
as quickly as possible and stay with
your car. Never cross the freeway.

if your car motor still runs. ‘se
it and your fuel sparingly. Tu.n on
the car engine for 10 minutes every
hour to keep the car warm and to
keep the battery charging to run
the flashers.

To avoid carbon monoxide

Come and join us for a day of fun
gifts, prizes and refreshmenis.

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3pm

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poisoning, always keep a window
open a crack to ventilate the car, If
you have a station wagon or hat-
chback, don’t open the rear win-
dow as it will draw the exhaust
fumes tito the car. Check tu en-
sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged
with snow.

Never alfow yourseif to fall
asleep. Keep yourself awake by
stepping out of the car and moving
around occasionally.

Clapping your hands and mov-
ing your body around vigorously
will increase circulation and build
up body heat. Wrap yourself in a

By

ia

NOVEMBER 19

ONLY!

TEXACO FIRECHIEF HATS
(For first 300 children)

7up and Pepsi
(One drink per person)

SLICE OF BOSTON PIZZA

(One slice per person)

SUNLITE SOAP OR J CLOTHS
(With 36 litre fill, while supplies last)

CAR WASH
% BALLOONS AND LOLLIPOPS

. NORTH VAN TEXACO

106 W. QUEENS Rb.
NORTH VANCOUVER

blanket or any emergency clothing
you have in your emergency sur-
vival kit.

if you have a candle in your
emergency kit, light it inside the
car for warmth. Open your win-
dow periodically for ventiiation. A
Single candJe can warm a full-size,
sealed car by about 4.5°C (10°F).

Do uot drink alcohol to keep
warm. Alcohol causes blood
vessels close to the skin to expand,
speeding up foss of body heat. It
also causes drowsiness and you
could freeze to death while sleep-
ing.

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