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] i Holiday Gift Guide Supplement of The Canadian Statesman, Wednesday, November 21,1990 21 Driving Tips During the Holiday Season Winter places extra demands demands on everyone who drives. And, with the added pressures and traffic of the holiday season, safe driving practices should be highlighted highlighted in order to ensure a Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year for all highway travellers. This is the time of year when our apprehension is heightened in anticipation of snow and ice on roads and highways. And, it's a good time to practise the three "Cs" of winter driving: courtesy, courtesy, caution and common sense. Unexpected changes in road ana weather conditions can make things difficult for even the most expert of drivers. drivers. One of the most frightening frightening situations is suddenly losing all contact with the road due to slippery conditions. conditions. Even in small amounts, ice and snow make control of a car more difficult and less . predictable. Reading the road ahead in winter can often often be tricky, even in the best of conditions. Beware of Black Ice During the winter months, the road will usually usually be grey-white in color when weather conditions are dry and clear. However, sometimes it may appear to be black, causing you to think that it's just damp or wet. But be careful. It may be covered by a very thin layer of ice called "black ice." Extremely slippery to drive on, black ice is transparent transparent and forms from condensation condensation or liquid moisture freezing on contact with a cold road surface. It is caused when there is a quick change in the air and ground temperatures, usually usually in the early morning hours in late fall and early spring. In contrast, regular ice is reflective and lighter in color. color. It forms when accumulated accumulated snow melts from tire action and subsequently freezes on contact with the cold air. Let Conditions Be Your Guide Whether it's ice, snow or slush, winter driving calls for extra care. The key is to drive according to road conditions, conditions, even if it means you're going less than the posted speed limit. You should also increase distances between your vehicle vehicle and other motorists. It takes three to 12 times more distance to stop on snow and ice. If your car begins to skid or loses its grip on the road, try to maintain smooth, precise precise steering. Take your foot off the accelerator, gear down or to neutral and apply apply gradual pressure to the brakes. Steer in the direction direction of the skid. Look in the direction you want your car to go. As the car responds, straighten out the front wheels. Don't jam on the brakes, because this will send you into a spin. As long as the brakes are locked, you have no control of your car. Do Not Pump Brakes When you have to stop on a slippery road, do not pump the brakes. Instead, put the car in neutral and apply gentle pressure slowly and steadily. In general, as you take to the road this winter, avoid abrupt acceleration, braking, braking, or lane changes that can result in your losing control on slippery roads. •Read the road by look ing ahead as far as possible. Keep your distance - at least three to four car lengths behind the car in front of you. •Turn on your headlights in bad weather conditions. Better yet, keep them on at all times to make your vehicle vehicle more visible to other motorists. motorists. •Don't rush. Allow extra time to drive wherever you are going. Listen to the weather forecasts. If the weather is bad, stay home. •Finally, slow down. Adjust Adjust your speed to suit road and weather conditions. Allow Yourself Time Before you head out onto the roads this winter, prepare prepare not only your car, but yourself. Accept the fact that you will have to allow for more time - both to get ready and to reach your destination. destination. Don't be rushed. A "winterized" car will help ease your mind. Take time to ensure that key areas areas of your vehicle have been maintained. Proper tuning of your vehicle is important. Check your radiator's antifreeze, antifreeze, oil, brake, and transmission fluid levels. Make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid and gas-line antifreeze. Try to keep the gas tank at least half full in cold weather to minimize condensation condensation and gas-line freeze- up. Adding gas-line antifreeze antifreeze to the tank is also a good idea. Expect the Unexpected Having plenty of gas in your tank is good protection against the unexpected, especially especially if you travel long distances. For instance, if you should get stuck in a ditch or snowbank, you'll need enough fuel to keep you warm until help arrives. If this happens to you, stay with your vehicle. Remember Remember to open the window an inch or two and make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow to avoia carbon monoxide buildup. At all times, make sure your lights and signals are working, front and rear, so that you can see and be seen. Check the heating and defrosting systems. Check Your Tires Use snow tires if the car is not equipped with all- season radial tires. Check the tread and replace worn tires with new ones, remembering remembering not to mix treads or styles. Don't forget to have an ice scraper and brush, shovel, shovel, booster cables, flares, chain or rope and a traction aid such as a bag of sand or kitty litter in your car. It is also a good idea to prepare an emergency kit containing blankets, first-aid kit, flashlight, flashlight, candle and matches, extra clothing, boots, non- perishable food items like chocolate bars, granola and boxed juice. Let the three "Cs" be the rule for everyone who uses the road this winter.. Budget for Christmas Many Ontario consumers consumers may be dreaming of a white Christmas, only to end up in the red once again. Overspending has become become more of a holiday tradition than baking cookies, says consumer- education specialist Carolyn Carolyn Lentz. "The temptation to buy, buy, buy is overwhelming overwhelming at this time of year." says Lentz who works for the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Rela- tions (MCCR). "Instead of spending time finding thoughtful, meaningful gifts, we often spend fortunes fortunes proving we shop at the right stores or watch the right ads." Many spendthrift Santas Santas pay the price for their extravagance in steep credit charges for months after Christmas. Although Although they may be able to carry the load, it would make more sense to set a Christmas budget now and stick to it, Lentz says. For those already deeply in debt heading into the holidays, even minor excesses could be disastrous. Anyone in this position should contact contact the nearest Credit Counselling Bureau for help before Christmas, she advises. Bureau staff can try to arrange affordable payment payment plans with creditors and will help set up a practical budget. The service service is free and offices are listed in the phone-book white pages. "Once you've got things in order, join the trend back to more enjoyable traditions like spending time together making gifts, stringing popcorn for the tree, or doing some volunteer work. People in all income groups are showing a lot more interest in these sorts of activities. Finally, Finally, something that makes sense is getting trendy.' Ironically, many ideas for gifts to be made at home can be found in expensive expensive boutiques, Lentz points out. Some examples include small baskets of homemade homemade preserves, mulled cider 'kits', a recipe for a particular dish, packaged with the spices needed to make it, and fragrant pot-poùrris to scent cupboards cupboards or drawers. "These are special gifts that are far cheaper to make than to buy and they can mean so much more when you make them yourself." says the consumer expert. "Have you checked the prices of homemade' cookies in specialty shops lately? Package up some of your own specialties as gifts and everyone will be hoping hoping you do to the same thing next year too." For example, children might give V coupons for washing the car, walking the dog, cleaning the windows windows or anything not part of their normal responsibilities. responsibilities. Uralyl ^oto^ o SKIRTS' BLOUShS SWEATERS-SLACKS SPORTSWEAR by Mr. Leonard and Gaytown LINGERIE by French Maid See our beautiful selection of holiday wear for party going or gift giving. DRESSES for Daytime and Evening Wear (Sum LADIES' WEAR 37 King St. W. Bowmanville 623-5501 FREE ce y ni PRINT from 135 neg. with purchase of any 5x7 frame valued at $10.00 or more l Lange's Photo Lab Inc. 31 King St. W. Bowmanville 623-2568 You take a great picture., we make a great print. We're a member of the Kodak Colorwatch® system for great film developing. So you always get what you expect -- quality prints. / V PERSONAL CHEQUES VISA X8*