Unfortunately, every year when the first snowfall arrives, it’s common to see cars sliding through intersections or into ditches. It seems like that first snowfall catches many drivers off guard. If this is your first winter with a teen driver, it may be even more stressful. Winter driving requires patience and skill. To acquire the appropriate skill necessary to stay safe, it takes practice.
This blog will discuss:
- Winter driving facts
- Common winter accidents and insurance
- Ways to keep your teen drivers safe
Winter Driving Facts and Stats
- Seventeen percent of all vehicle crashes occur during snowy conditions.
- Approximately 70% of U.S. roads are in areas that receive annual snowfall.
- Each year, approximately 116,000 people are injured on snowy or icy roads.
- Stopping your car on snow and ice can take 6 to 10 times longer.
In heavy snow, freeway speeds should be reduced by as much as 40%. - Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles don’t stop quicker than other vehicles.
Winter car accidents and insurance
Poor road conditions have a major impact on how your car handles. Add poor visibility, and winter driving can be extremely dangerous. If your teen driver damages your car or another person’s property, it’s important to make sure you have the right insurance coverage and adequate limits to pay for damages.
If your teen slides through an intersection or into a ditch, here’s how different types of insurance coverage may apply.
- Auto Liability insurance covers injury or property damage caused to a third-party.
- Collision insurance provides coverage for damage to your teen’s car.
- Medical payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides coverage for injuries sustained by anyone in the car driven by your teen.
- Towing coverage may be provided through your insurance policy. If it’s not, I‘d recommend adding it. The benefit of this coverage is that no money needs to be paid to the towing company at the time of the accident.
Ways to keep your teen drivers safe
To help your teens excel and stay safe driving this winter, enrolling them in a winter driving school may be just what they need. Road America’s Winter Driving School sponsored by West Bend allows teen drivers to practice winter driving in a safe environment.
The instructors at Road America teach techniques for handling different winter driving conditions. Those techniques include:
- Skid control and prevention
- Braking with ABS and without
- Collision avoidance maneuvers
- Proper vision skills
If you don’t have a winter driving school near you, make sure you talk to your teen about winter driving or check out the helpful videos below.
Tips for Safe Winter Driving – Winter Driving Hazards & Cornering Overview
Tips for Safe Driving – Winter Braking ABS
Essential Winter Driving Tips – Consumer Reports
Winter Driving Tips You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About Driving In The Snow
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them. Please share them in the box below.
Source:
https://www.highways.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Brochure-FINAL-LoRes.pdf
Topics: Teen Safety, Weather