Now that winter is arriving in our northern latitudes, drivers will need to deal with the ice, snow, and other hazards that turn roads treacherous and contribute to the more than 1.5 million weather-related car crashes that occur each year, according to the National Research Council. And if my experience is representative, more people than teens need to think about navigating a two-ton car or sport ute through the slop.
Teen drivers, many of whom facing wintry conditions behind the wheel for the first time, need help navigating the roadways during the upcoming months. Liberty Mutual Insurance has some winter safety for teens – at www.LibertyMutualTeenDriving.com.
“Driving in wintry conditions is no easy task, even for seasoned drivers, and it is especially difficult for younger drivers with limited experience to adapt to slippery roads and poor visibility,” says Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety told AutoInformed.
“Teen drivers need to take extra steps to protect themselves this winter, and parents need to promote and enforce safe driving habits to keep their teens safe.”
Before getting behind the wheel, a driving safety video at the site will help teens and parents get winter road-ready and ensure their cars are safe and in good working order.
Website visitors also will find car maintenance tips and a checklist for a winter driving safety kit. These include:
- Before you get on the road in bad weather, check your local news stations and their websites for detailed, up-to-the-minute weather and traffic information.
- If your trip is absolutely necessary, give yourself extra time.
- During inclement weather put extra distance – at least five or six seconds -between yourself and the vehicle in front.
- Antilock brakes, all-wheel and four-wheel drive won’t help you stop faster.
- Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you. In snow, fog and rain, don’t use high beams – they increase glare for both you and other drivers.
- Signal your intentions early; don’t surprise other drivers.
- Do not use cruise control when roads are hazardous.
- And, slow down!
- Did we mention slow down!
This looks to be good driving safety advice for any season, but even more so during the winter: car crashes are 36% more likely to happen in January than July, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
