Snow Day Driving: Tips for Teen Drivers

Driving in snowy conditions can be difficult for even seasoned motorists, so it is imperative to make sure that you take the time to give your teenager some helpful tips. After all, areas such as Michigan that typically receive a lot of snow and ice during the winter can easily lead to an increase in accidents, and this problem will be exacerbated by an inexperienced driver who is uncertain how to react to specific situations. Here are a few tips to help keep teens safe in their vehicles.

Always Leave Early

Drivers throughout the Midwest are well aware of the fact that even a minor snowstorm can cause major traffic delays. Therefore, you must teach your teen to always provide themselves with extra time to reach their destination during bad weather. Failure to do this could easily result in your teenager getting into an accident because they try to drive too quickly.

Never Tailgate

It is dangerous enough to tailgate during good conditions, but participating in this unsafe driving practice could be catastrophic on a snow day. After all, the majority of accidents that are caused during inclement weather happen when a motorist loses control of their vehicle because they encounter a slick patch of road. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a large amount of space between yourself and the other vehicles around you so that you will have the opportunity to react and correct the problem before you collide with the car in front of you.

Be Cognizant of Your Surroundings

In some situations, it makes the most sense to look for a safe area to steer your vehicle toward to help you avoid an accident. However, if you are not aware of your surroundings, it will be impossible for you to make a wise split-second decision.

Slow Down

Many drivers become fixated on the speed limit and attempt to drive faster than they should during snowy conditions. In Michigan, where snow can reach high levels, speedy driving can be deadly. In fact, one Michigan car accident lawyer states that “speed is involved in roughly 30 percent of all motor vehicle collisions resulting in death in the state”.

Unfortunately, this is one of the easiest ways to cause an accident. Instead, your teen needs to learn to slow down to a comfortable speed that enables them to keep their vehicle under control. In most cases, the slower speed will already be set by the flow of traffic, and your teenager will simply need to follow suit.

The Importance of Cat Litter

Getting stuck in a slick spot is extremely frustrating, and it can also be dangerous. Due to this, you should provide your teenager with a bag of cat litter and teach them how to use it to gain traction. This one simple trick can help get them back on the road quickly, and it will also help them save a lot of money because they will not need to call a tow truck for assistance.

Ultimately, the best way to help your teenager learn how to drive in the snow is to make sure that they get a lot of experience. However, if they end up getting into an accident, it will be important for you to contact a local car accident attorney to help them deal with the situation.

As a former Michigan resident, writer Melanie Fleury remembers snow up to her waist. In these type of conditions, safe driving has a whole different meaning. Stroble Law, a Michigan car accident lawyer, encourages motorists to stay safe on the road.