Watch out for Snow and Ice
Parents and teachers need to instruct teens on how to drive on slippery roads and how to handle a skidding car. Teens should always look and steer in the direction they want to go, rather than in the direction they are skidding. In addition, new drivers should be instructed to drive slowly and to keep plenty of distance between themselves and other drivers when ice is present.
Smart Planning
Drivers of any age should carry a winter kit in their trunks filled with things such as blankets, flashlights, sand, a small shovel, and other items that would be helpful should they get stranded. Before driving in wintry weather, teens should learn how to add windshield wiper fluid, and should be instructed to have their cell phones charged before leaving home.
Be Attentive
It is estimated that nearly 80% of car accidents could be avoided with only a second of additional time. Sometimes this second could be gained simply by drivers being aware of what is around them. Teen drivers should keep their eyes on the road at all times, looking for pedestrians, other motorists, stalled vehicles, or ice.
Safety First the Whole Year Long
Some tips are just as important in the winter as they are all year long because they keep teen drivers and their passengers safe. Teens, and any other driver for that matter, should keep both hands on the wheel at all times and wait to make calls or texts until they are pulled over. Drivers and passengers should wear seat belts for safety, no matter the distance they travel. It’s also a good idea to have help on hand. Keep a list of emergency contacts they can get in touch with, including highway patrol and a personal injury advocate like Pritzker Law Group.
Winter Driving
Until teen drivers experience all aspects of winter driving, including icy roads, frigid conditions, and dangerous drivers, they will not fully understand how dangerous it can be. The best advice is to stay home when conditions are poor. If this is not possible, teen drivers can increase their safety, as well as the safety of those around them by driving cautiously, remembering to stay calm, and anticipating problematic situations ahead.
“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”
