Driving in the winter can be tricky for anyone, more so for a teen. While your instinct as a parent may be to keep them off the roads, in this season, it may not always be a possibility. Have a look at the three tips below which you can use to help them stay safe while they’re behind the wheel in winter.
Advise Them to Stay Sober
It’s always important to be sober when behind the wheel, no matter the season. Because of the different conditions in winter, however, it becomes even more important to do so because even a little intoxication will affect the judgment and reaction time of a driver. It’s also your duty as a parent to model positive behavior to your teen even if they have reached the legal drinking age. If they attend any parties, advise them to get a cab back home and not take the risk of driving themselves. They should share this information with their friends and not agree to get into a car that will be driven by someone under the influence as the risk is simply too high. Apart from the risk of getting into an accident, there is also the law to deal with. In PA, for instance, getting a second DUI conviction can attract a stay in jail of anywhere from five days to six months.
Do Some Practice
To make sure that your teen knows the perils of driving in winter and they understand what to do, have them practice in a safe area until they’re sure they will be able to drive safely on the road. Find a wide-open space like an empty parking lot that will be safe and have minimal obstructions so there’s a smaller risk of an incident. Show them the right way to brake on winter roads as well as turn and stay visible to other road users. Let them know that at this time, it’s extremely important for them to be observant and if they feel like they are out of their depth at any point, they should call an emergency number for help. While their car may have some advanced driving features, it’s crucial that they know how to handle a car by feeling its reaction in direct relation to their actions. Because winter roads minimize the grip that a car has on the road, driving in winter is more of a physical thing than anything else. With about 96% of injury cases settled before trial, it may seem like you will have a simple case if your teen experiences or causes accidental injury, but it’s best to avoid it completely in the first place by teaching your teen how to drive safely in winter.
Get The Car Ready For Winter
Finally, a good car will go a long way in keeping your teen driver safe while they’re driving in winter. So will a car that is equipped for winter driving. Things like winter tires, a shovel, and the number of a reliable towing company on their phone are not to be compromised. An emergency kit with snow boots, flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, and non-perishable foodstuffs is also important to keep in the car at all times in case an emergency arises, as these will help them stay safe and possibly get themselves out of the situation. In total, auto accidents take an economic toll of $250 billion on the U.S. economy, an amount that may see a reduction if people practice safe driving in tricky seasons like winter. Make sure that your teen does not add on to this amount by helping them avoid getting into trouble on winter roads.
It’s important for any parent with teenagers to ensure that they know how to stay safe on the road in winter. Share the three tips above with them, and you will have played your role.
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