36 - North Shore News — Wednesday, November 10, 1999 wis ey CTION is the grip your vebicle’s tires have on the road surface. The less of traction results in thousands of traffic crashes and collisions every year in B.C. - Wet roads, snow andi ice rob you of traction. Everything you do on the road: depends on having enough traction for the task ~— accelerating, : braking and steering. . Each ofthese tasks requires more traction than just driving down the-road at a constant Speed. When you don’t have ; .. enough, bad things: happen, “Tike locking up the wheels when braking or skidding out of con- trol ina curve. The result: 2 crash ora col- aad load Wee Fry ei; ob lision with another vehicle. “Speed too fast for conditions” on a police iraflic accident report or ticket refers to many conditions including visibiliry, traffic density, vehicle or driver condition, or available traction. A wet road can rob you of 25% of your tires’ grip on the road, or more. Ice can rob vou of 90%. How can you drive safely ~ under these conditions? The number one strategy is to slow down to a speed at which you can control your vehicle in the curve, or brake to a step at the intersection. .” You ‘also have to change hew hard you push on the gas or brake pedals or how abrupt- ly you turn the steering wheel. . This means you will take a longer distance to accelerate up to traffic speeds, but you won't spin your wheels, You will rake a longer dis- tance to stop from a given speed, so you have to start ear- lier because you can’r brake as hard. You also won’t lock up your wheels and lose steering con- trol. Remember: your braking distance increases at a faster rate than your vehicle speed. If you double your speed, it takes four times as far to stop! This also means that if you cut your specd in half, you will only require one quarter of the distance to stop! When read conditions are slippery, don’t wait for a crisis —. slow down and increase MacKay Ave., 990-9931 of whar:they are made. Whatever th Test battery/oport condition Hl Fuet System Civansy / Gaz Line Ue-tear, ie Iie needs 0 be replaced, we : ; Pa! : business. We fixed them for why ch: your following distance. When you need to stop, you won't need as much distance, and you'll have an easier time than’ drivers who carried on at the same speed. Who reeds a crisis? Who needs an insurance claim? Who needs a ticket? Who needs ar injury? It’s up to you. These and other valuabie winter driving tips are included. in the B.C. Safety Conneil’s Winter. HALT. - program. Review this course on-thar Web Site under Programs: