Teaching Your Teen to be a Safe Driver in the Snow
Learning how to be a safe driver in the best conditions is challenging enough for teens. However, when the weather is inclement, especially when it is snowy and icy, driving can be much more difficult for everyone, particularly for newer drivers.
According to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, New Jersey has five climate zones. Situated halfway between the Equator and North Pole, the weather in the state is highly variable. Snowfall typically occurs from October 15 through April 30 in the highlands region and in the southern counties from November 15 through April 15. As a result, all regions in the state experience snow. For this reason, it can be incredibly advantageous for parents to become familiar with some safety tips for teaching their teens about snowy driving so they can be prepared and ready when the weather becomes frigid and the streets slippery.
Safety Tips For Driving in the Snow
Having a confident teen driver who is trained and knows what to do in various weather conditions can improve their safety and that of others around them when they hit the road. The following safety tips for driving in the snow can help all drivers, but especially teens, be safe and responsible winter drivers.
Key Points for Driving in the Snow
When driving in the snow, it is important to adjust driving behavior in the following ways:
- Snowy weather makes the roads slick, so reducing speed and driving slower is necessary.
- Due to the increased risk of sliding when braking, leave plenty of room between your car and the other cars around you.
- If you must slow down or stop your car to avoid skidding, gently press the brakes instead of slamming down on them.
- Use gradual and controlled steering, as sharp, jerky moves can cause a vehicle to lose control.
- If you do skid, stay calm and don’t panic. Steer your car in the direction of the skid, and do not suddenly hit the brakes.
Get Plenty of Real World Practice
When it is snowy out, take your teen to a safe location to practice hands-on driving techniques so that they can see what it is like to drive in the snow in a more controlled environment before they are out on the roadways. This includes having them experience skidding to learn precisely how to handle such a situation.
Checking and Preparing a Vehicle
Before driving in the snow, it is essential to clear snow and ice from the vehicle’s windshield, windows, mirrors, and roof. Also, check the tire pressure and treads to ensure that the tire is properly inflated and will have the traction necessary for slippery conditions.
Pack for an Emergency
Instruct your teen driver to always have a safety bag with warm blankets, reflectors, water, jumper cables, a flashlight, and light snacks in case of an emergency.
Speak to a New Jersey and Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney Today
Our South Jersey personal injury lawyer at Monaco Law PC hopes you and your family stay safe over the winter. However, if you need to speak with an attorney because of a car accident, you are welcome to call (609) 277-3166 for our New Jersey office and (215) 546-3166 for our Pennsylvania office to discuss your case today.
We are a New Jersey personal injury law firm serving Atlantic County, Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, Salem County, and all of South Jersey.
