ABSTRACT
In this slim volume consideration has been given to a number of road weather hazards and their alleviation. The main emphasis has been on problems of winter weather in Europe and North America with some divergence to other matters, such as sand blowing, which are of virtually no significance in northern Europe but constitute major problems in some arid lands. It has been shown that design as well as maintenance must have regard to weather and climate. Loss of tyre adhesion and visibility and the blocking of highways are the main ways in which the weather contributes to accidents and much research has been, and is being, devoted to overcoming these hazards but, with constant increase in traffic and in the speed of all classes of motorized vehicles there can be no easing of effort or complacency over the need for ever more refined design and improved maintenance procedures, which must be preceded by adequate research, monitored in operation and modified as shown to be necessary. Safety on the roads cannot, unfortunately, be assured by any international or other programme, all that can be done is to provide the best practicable environment in man-made terms to make good use of the natural environment and reduce its adverse impact.
