Preparing Your Teen for Winter Driving In Oregon

Winter in Oregon can bring challenging driving conditions, especially for new drivers. Preparing your teen for the road is essential for parents of teen drivers. Snow, ice, sleet, and reduced visibility can make winter driving dangerous, but your teen can confidently handle these conditions with the proper preparation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get your teen ready for winter driving:

1. Educate About Winter Road Conditions

First and foremost, your teen needs to understand the challenges of winter roads. Snow and ice reduce traction, making it harder to control the vehicle, especially at high speeds. Teach how bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas are prone to freezing first and can be particularly dangerous. Explain how reduced visibility during snowstorms or foggy days can limit reaction time and increase the risk of accidents.

2. Ensure Proper Vehicle Maintenance

Before winter sets in, ensure your teen’s vehicle is ready for the season. Essential maintenance includes:

• Tires: Ensure the car is equipped with winter or all-season tires in good condition. Proper tread depth is vital for maintaining traction in snow and icy conditions, and winter tires provide better grip, especially in severe weather.
• Brakes: Inspect the brakes to ensure they are in top working order. Winter conditions demand responsive braking, and any wear can increase the stopping distance.
• Fluids: Check the antifreeze levels to prevent engine freezing. Additionally, top up windshield washer fluid with one that can withstand freezing temperatures and replace worn wiper blades for optimal visibility.
• Battery: Cold temperatures can reduce battery efficiency, so ensure the battery is fully charged and in good condition.

3. Teach Defensive Driving Techniques

Driving in winter demands more caution and patience. Teach your teen defensive driving techniques to minimize the risk of accidents:

• Slow down: The most crucial rule of winter driving is to reduce speed. Slower speeds give more control and increase reaction time.
• Increase following distance: On dry roads, leaving three to four seconds of following distance is common. This should be increased to eight to ten seconds in snowy or icy conditions.
• Brake gently: Slamming on the brakes can cause skidding. Teach your teen to brake gently and apply steady pressure to prevent losing control. If the car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), they should feel a pulsing in the pedal when stopping on slippery surfaces. Remind them not to panic and let the system do its job.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly: Rapid acceleration or deceleration can cause loss of traction. Encourage your teen to take it slow when starting from a stop or coming to a halt.

4. Prepare for Emergencies

Winter driving is unpredictable, and your teen must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Ensure their vehicle has a winter emergency kit. This kit should include:

• A blanket or warm clothing
• Extra gloves and hats
• Non-perishable snacks and bottled water
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• An ice scraper and snow brush
• A first-aid kit
• A small shovel and sand or cat litter for traction if they get stuck

Explain the importance of staying with the vehicle if they get stuck in a snowstorm, as it offers the best protection from the elements. Running the car’s engine periodically to keep warm is fine, but the exhaust pipe should be checked to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Consider taking your teen to an empty parking lot after a fresh snowfall to practice handling the vehicle in snowy and icy conditions. Allow them to experience how the car reacts to different maneuvers, such as turning, braking, and accelerating. This controlled environment will help build their confidence and hone their skills in a low-risk setting.

6. Encourage Awareness and Caution

Respecting the weather is one of the most valuable lessons you can teach your teen. Winter driving requires a different mindset than summer driving. Encourage them to check the weather forecast before heading out and to avoid driving in severe conditions if possible. If they must drive, they should leave early to give themselves extra time and avoid feeling rushed.

Winter driving can be intimidating for anyone, especially teens still gaining experience behind the wheel. By educating your teen on winter driving techniques, ensuring their vehicle is winter-ready, and encouraging them to stay calm and cautious, you’re helping them become safer, more confident drivers.