The winter season will be starting soon and that means snow is not far behind. Winter driving is always challenging but tends to be especially dangerous for new teen drivers out on the roadway. You can make winter driving safer for your teen by sharing with them the following winter driving tips.
1. Before starting your journey, be sure to scrape all of your windows properly and ensure that your car is clear of snow. The roof is especially important as snow can fly onto other people’s cars and affecting their visibility.
2. Remember not to slam on your brakes, when you feel your car start to slip that may be your first reaction but your breaks could lock up and throw you into an uncontrolled skid. Instead, apply constant & firm pressure steadily.
3. Be aware of everything going on around you, not just the car immediately in front of yours. This allows you to see someone possible breaking up ahead, giving you more control and more time to safely come to a stop.
4. When it’s raining, snowing or the temperatures are freezing cruise control is not your friend, so avoid if possible.
5. Be extra cautious in intersections, even if the roads look fine, they are often icy. The time to find out is not when you’re sliding through.
6. Drive slower than the posted speed limits when on highway on and off ramps. The ramps are often not as clear as the highways themselves. The same holds true for bridges, drivers beware!
At the end of the day when driving in winter weather conditions remember that prevention is better. Take your time, be safe and sensible and if the worst should happen, make sure you’re prepared. Carrying a winter survival kit in your car is never a bad idea as well as having an extra blanket and small shovel on hand. Please share these tips with your
teen driver before letting them take the wheel on a snowy winter day.
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Barry McGee operates website geared specifically towards
teen drivers and their parents. ForYoungDrivers.org will answer all of your driving and car-related questions. Our aim is to help you become a competent young driver and an informed consumer of driving-related products and services. Visit www.foryoungdrivers.org for more information and tips on how to keep your kids safe on the road
