As young drivers enter the winter season, problems arise—specifically, on the roads. With the age requirement for driving being sixteen and a half, many receive the driver’s license at the end of sophomore year or the beginning of junior year. Whether new to the roads or pros, drivers of all levels face issues driving in the cold, snow, hail, wind, or even rain. After speaking with Autumn Blozowich, a new driver, Erin Ulewicz, a seasoned driver, and Mr. Duda, a driver’s education instructor, drivers should plan to stay safe while driving.
Autumn Blozowich – New Driver, in a Honda CR-V
After receiving her license merely two months ago, Autumn has already had quite the adventure of driving as a young driver in the winter. To stay prepared, she always has extra clothes and a windshield scraper on hand. Her parents advised this after witnessing how unprepared young drivers were for their first sporadic snowy day. Although she is moderately confident in her driving abilities, she hasn’t had to face any major challenges. With her knowledge of directions, driving, and parking, she is prepared for when problems approach. While she enjoys driving in the rain, she has not faced severe snow or icy conditions. Autumn’s passion for driving stands unaffected by the varying weather conditions, showing her perseverance to keep enjoying the road, regardless of difficulties.
Erin Ulewicz – Seasoned Driver, in a Volkswagen Jetta
Erin provided similar, useful tips on how drivers can stay safe this winter. Firstly, like Autumn, she believes it is crucial to carry extra clothes and a scraper for your car when there is unexpected snow. She emphasized the importance of being prepared for any situation, like knowing how to identify black ice and understanding which roads are plowed and salted first. Her dad instructed that if she encountered black ice, to turn it into it, rather than away, because the car would recalibrate and bring a spin-out to a halt. Her family gets winter tires on all of their vehicles to manage her long driveway and for safety purposes. Erin also highlighted the value of staying in the designated lane when driving in two-lane traffic. Hugging the outside of the lane will prevent other drivers from drifting into one another and staying safe. By following these precautions and staying informed, drivers can navigate winter conditions more safely and confidently.
Mr. Duda – Drivers Education Instructor
Driving in Snowy Conditions
- Coast rather than braking when possible, especially on icy roads, to avoid locking up your brakes
- Use your gears to slow down by downshifting, if the driver is comfortable
- Prepare for bends in the road by braking before the bend and coasting through the bend
- Increase your following distance to ensure enough time to slow down if the car ahead suddenly stops
Focusing on Personal Driving in Bad Weather
- Although drivers tend to focus more on their driving, they need to pay attention to the actions of outside drivers
- Students driving often feel anxious about their performance and focus on only what is directly in front of them
- It is important to not only focus on what is in front of you but also to constantly check mirrors, and watch for other stimuli on the roads
- Students need to drive defensively, especially in bad weather conditions
Preventing Accidents with Other Drivers
- A combination of assertiveness, patience, and forgiveness are critical to preventing accidents on the road
- Driving angrily, or deflecting blame is highly unprofessional; the goal is to avoid accidents, regardless of who is at fault
- Be courteous and allow room for others to make mistakes
- Vigilance, focus, and mirror checking regularly to keep your eye on other vehicles are crucial to staying safe
Critical Speed Control and Changing Lanes
- Speed control is mandatory, going too fast can lead to accidents
- Prepping for lane changes and keeping a close eye on your rearview mirrors are vital for safety
- Identifying whether other cars are driving recklessly around you will help protect against possible collisions
