Wheelin in the Snow

Many teens have recently acquired their driver’s licenses, which means winter driving is a brand new challenge. If it’s your first time handling the snow, it can be pretty scary, especially when you see all of the cars that have swerved off the road into ditches. Of course, we don’t want anyone crashing on Eagle Drive or on the way to school.

 To get ready for the winter season, you are going to want to make sure that you are prepared. Plenty of new drivers have crashed into the snow totalling their cars, as they simply just don’t know how to control their steering wheel when sliding on the roads. Here is a list of some essential reminders and  tips to be prepared for the winter season.

#1 Snow Brush

You should always have a snow bush in your car, just to be prepared when your car is anywhere. When it starts to snow, you are going to want a snow brush so that you can clear your windshield and windows so that they are visible. Also, you should scrape off all of the ice that compiles onto your car.

#2 Blanket, Food, & Water 

Just to be prepared, you are going to want to have a blanket in your car at all times and some food like granola bars just in case you get stranded in a snowstorm and have nowhere to go (and so you don’t freeze to death). Water is also important to have when stranded as you can not survive long without water, as compared to food.

#3 Make sure you know your brakes

When driving, make sure that you know how your brakes adapt when you hit them. When you are on an icy or slick road and you are coming to a stop, make sure that you are slowly hitting your brakes and pumping them. 

According to Carsurance.net,  over 70% of US roads are in snowy regions and 17% of all vehicle crashes happen in winter condition. When asked for his advice to new Lake Shore drivers, Mr.Frew, who is currently teaching Driver Ed, suggested the following, “Always have good winter tires. Some cheaper tires could only last a couple of thousand miles but the good ones will last over 50,000, but they are more expensive. They also help with steering and help to avoid sliding. When driving you HAVE to slow down. If there is limited visibility, then slowing down will give you more reaction time. One very important thing is to make sure you can see well, take time to scrape the ice off, clean all the windows. Make sure others can see your headlights and fog lights so make sure the snow is cleaned off.”

With these suggestions in mind and overall caution and common sense, it will make for a safer roads for all of us this winter, no matter how much experience we have behind the wheel.