Teaching Your Teenager to Drive in Bad Weather
You want your teenager to be safe while they’re behind the wheel. This is especially true when the weather turns bad. You may be thinking about ways of teaching your teenager to drive in bad weather.
It’s normal for teenagers to actually learn how to drive in driver’s education classes. There is a lot, however, that can’t be covered during the short amount of time they have to actually drive during class. One of those things is how to drive in bad weather. This task is often learned by doing.
There are some things that you can do to teach your teen to drive in inclement weather.
* Before leaving on any trip check the car to be sure there is enough gasoline to get to the destination and ensure the other fluids are at an appropriate level. Clean the vehicle of all snow and ice, especially on windows and side view mirrors.
* Reduce the air level in the tires if there is a lot of snow or ice. This will allow the car to have more surface grip on the ice or snow.
* Take a look at the weather for the trip and have a particular route planned. They should also let family know about the trip in case they are postponed due to weather.
* Ensure that their cell phone is fully charged before leaving so they can contact you if needed.
* Never drink alcohol while driving, and definitely not when the weather is bad.
* Be sure the headlights are on. A good rule of thumb is to turn on your headlights any time windshield wipers are needed. Using headlights will improve your visibility and will allow other drivers to see you.
* During the winter months, every car should have an ice scraper with a brush under the front seat. Keeping de-icer in the car is also a good idea. The windshield wiper fluid should also be topped off before leaving on any trip during bad weather.
* While driving in snow or on ice, leave more space than in clear weather. Three to four car lengths, or more, would be a good idea since snowy circumstances could cause the car to take more space to stop.
* Don’t slam on the brakes. Gently push the brake pedal and steer into a slide should it happen.
* Be sure to clear any snow or ice out of the tail pipe. A clogged tail pipe could cause sickness or even death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Avoid crossing bridges or overpasses if at all possible. Remember that these structures will freeze before the roads will and can often be closed if conditions warrant it.
When teaching your teenager to drive in bad weather you may want to show them these hints. Of course, there are other instructions you may want to give, but these are a good start.
