Teen drivers often show confidence when they first receive their licenses, but they can become skittish when the roads begin to freeze over. Driver’s education teaches us every bit of knowledge about driving in hazardous conditions, but those teachings often end up forgotten once a new driver has procured his or her license. If students do remember and understand, they may not always have enough composure to carry out the lessons.

Most teen accidents in the winter, for the Revere school district, stem from misjudging the distance between cars and rear ending either another car or a school bus. The other most common type occurs when a teen begins to slide off the road. He or she may turn the steering wheel the wrong way or slam down on the brakes and end up in a ditch.

To avoid these accidents, one should drive at a speed below the posted limit (it may seem dull, but at least it provides safety) and de-ice one’s car before heading out and check one’s windshield wipers. Whenever one feels that the car is starting to slide, one should pump the brakes if his or her car does not have an anti-lock brake system. Also, a driver should turn his or her steering wheel into the slide – the same way the back of the car travels. In winter weather, one must also inflate a car’s tires to a new pressure and make sure that gas fills at least half of the tank. Having more than a half tank of gas ensures that the tank will not freeze over, and in case of an emergency one can use the car’s heater to stay warm. If a car’s heater does not work, one should have some matches or a lighter and a candle. I personally feel silly with a candle in my car, but at least I like the scent. If one would rather not have a candle, a blanket would also suffice. Other supplies to keep in one’s car include sunglasses to block the the cursed reflection off the snow, a phone charger and some food, like granola bars.

I will nag anyone who reads this for only one more paragraph; watch out for pedestrians, and stay aware that black ice could be hidden on the roads! Stay safe out there, and stay toasty my dudes.