Tips for Good Teen Driving in Bad Weather

Here are some tips to pass along to your teen driver as it's becoming more clear that summer is officially over...

In rain...

• Make it a point to turn on your lights whenever you have your windshield wipers on.
  
• Double or even triple the amount of following space you leave between you and the car in front of you when weather is wet.
  
• Brake gently
  
• Accelerate slowly
  
• Crack a window to keep your windshield from fogging up
  
• Remember, bridges and overpasses freeze before roads do
  
• Don't apply cruise control

In ice and snow...

• If you're stuck in ice or snow and aren't able to gain traction, try placing the floor mats under the tired
  
• If you back up into ice or snow, make sure your tailpipe is clear or you could get carbon monoxide poisoning
  
• Make sure you have window washing fluid-- you may need it in the even of sleet or snow
  
• Keep your pace steady and slow, but not so slow you become stuck in deeper ice/snow
  

In fog...

• Stay to the right of the roadway
  
• Turn on lowbeams
  
• If you cannot see the roadway, pull clear off the road away from traffic. Turn on hazard lights and wait until visibility improves
  

In high winds...

• It's best not to drive a van or other high profile type vehicle or to tow a trailer
  
• If you're following behind a vehicle with a tow or trailer take extra precaution and keep your distance
  

It's also a good idea to keep an emergency pack in your car with ice scraper, a bag of sand/salt/cat litter, flares or triangles, flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit, jumper cables, nonperishable snacks, a candle and matches, a cup in case you have to melt snow for water, a shovel, gloves, a blanket, and even a pair of boots.

Thanks to www.teendriving.com