As a parent of a teen, the winter months can be stressful. You worry about your child driving in icy or snowy conditions. Will they be able to handle the roads? Here are some winter driving tips to help your teen stay safe on the roads this winter.
1. Make sure your teen’s car is in good condition. Before the winter weather hits, take your teen’s car to a mechanic to get it checked out. This is especially important if your teen is driving an older car. Make sure the tires are in good condition and have plenty of treads. The battery should be strong and the oil should be at the correct level.
2. Teach your teen how to handle a skid. One of the most dangerous things that can happen when driving in winter weather is losing control of the car due to a skid. Skids usually happen when a driver is going too fast for the road conditions or makes a sudden stop or turn. Show your teen how to handle a skid by practicing in an empty parking lot. Visit AARP for a visual representation of what to do when your car begins to skid.
3. Encourage your teen to take it slow. It can be tempting for teens to want to show off their driving skills in bad weather, but remind them that it’s better to arrive late than not at all. Encourage them to take their time and not take any unnecessary risks. It is recommended that you reduce your speed by half when there is snow on the roads.1
4. Make sure your teen has an emergency kit in their car. If your teen does get stranded, you’ll want them to have everything they need to stay safe and warm until help arrives. Their emergency kit should include blankets, snacks, water, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries. Your teen should also have tools for their car, in case they need to do the maintenance themselves. This can include jumper cables, a no-spill gas can, roadside flares, and more. An extensive list of items that should be found in an emergency kit can be found at Bug-Out Bag Academy.
5. Check the weather forecast before allowing your teen to drive in winter weather. Winter weather can change quickly, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest forecast before heading out on the roads. If the forecast calls for bad weather, consider whether or not it’s really necessary for your teen to be driving in those conditions.
By following these winter driving tips, you can help your teen stay safe on the roads this winter season. Remember to have their car checked by a mechanic before winter hits, teach them how to handle a skid, encourage them to take their time while driving, and make sure they have an emergency kit in their car just in case they do get stranded somewhere along the way. And finally, always check the weather forecast before allowing them to head out into potentially hazardous conditions!
References
1.Abrams, A. (2019, February 8). 10 tips for driving safely in the snow: Mcclain insurance: Everett, WA. McClain Insurance Services. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.autohomeboat.com/blog/winter-driving/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20U.S.%20Department,to%2015%20mph%20or%20less.
