As the seasons change from hot to cold and snow and ice begin to cover the streets, both parents and students get nervous about their commutes to school every day. Each year, approximately 156,000 car crashes are caused by icy roads, with cars getting damaged and drivers getting hurt. However, these mishaps are avoidable by taking precautions and not getting distracted while driving.
Mr. Merchant, an art teacher at Trinity Middle School, has been a driving instructor at Day Driving for eight years. It’s never a bad idea to take driving lessons, since they can “teach the correct way to parallel park, help to practice the test route, get an insurance discount, learn all the little things your parents may not think to tell you and not be under the pressure of a worked-up parent,” according to Merchant.
As new drivers begin to venture out alone and unsupervised, nerves get higher and small mistakes are more likely to be made. Driving in the snow brings additional risks due to black ice and visibility issues, so many new drivers get nervous to venture onto the highway during this time of year, but Merchant doesn’t think they should be.
Merchant shared, “Most people would guess the highway [to be more dangerous] but I would disagree. You can’t always avoid it, but in town it is usually more dangerous as there is a higher chance of someone sliding through a stop sign or intersection and crossing your path.”
Senior Allie Ewbank believes the most dangerous place to drive during the winter is icy roads with lots of sharp turns: “You’re more likely to slide off the road or into other cars. I also avoid busy streets where traffic is bad and the road is icy, so I can avoid sliding into cars and no cars hit me.”
Adults like Merchant and parents can give many tips that new drivers might not be aware of. Ewbank’s parents always tell her that in the winter, it’s important to break early and drive slow.
Merchant advises, “In winter weather, it is almost always wiser to bring the speed at least five miles per hour below the limit and take turns even slower. Also, starting your braking sooner and pumping them rather than slamming them will help you not break traction. Finally, make sure all four of your tires have sufficient tread before heading into winter so your vehicle properly grips the road.”
Good resources to keep in the car during the winter include a phone charger, an ice scraper and snacks, because anything could happen and it’s always safest to be prepared. It’s also crucial to defrost the windshield and windows to be sure to have the best visibility possible in dangerous conditions.
Even without snow on the roads, being on the road poses other threats. Both Merchant and Ewbank believe it’s important to watch other drivers and be aware of the surroundings.
As new drivers get the hang of being on the road, driving will get easier and fears will decrease, but responsibility and caution are always necessary for driving during the winter months.
