As a parent, you’ve probably spent a lot of time learning and implementing how to teach your teen to drive. There are so many rules and regulations and most literature doesn’t even cover what it’s actually like to drive when the weather stinks. The best teacher for teens is to get behind the wheel and practice.
As much as we might want each driving session for our teens to be perfect the actuality is far from that. Summer is a valuable time for teen drivers to get extra practice, however, in many parts of the country, summer also brings unpredictable weather. The following are tips for driving during the inclement weather associated with summer.
- Before heading out, check the weather. If severe weather is heading your way, it might be best to wait until it passes before driving practice.
- If driving during extreme heat take precautions before you head out. Make sure your air conditioner is working properly to keep your teen and all passengers comfortable. Extreme heat is hard on cars and can lead to trouble. Be sure to have water available to stay hydrated in case an emergency stop is required.
- Thunderstorms seem to pop up out of nowhere during the summer. If your teen is facing a summer storm, help them focus on slowing down. Be sure the windshield wipers are functioning.
- If storms are causing flooding, avoid crossing any bridges or roadways near or crossing rivers or streams if they are flooded. It doesn’t take much water to wash a car off a bridge or road, taking it into that creek or river. It’s best to turn around and avoid this situation totally.
- In case of tornado, get out of the way. If the tornado is in the distance, get off the road and look for shelter in a sturdy building. If in a situation where moving the vehicle is not possible, get out and seek shelter in a ditch or somewhere low or in nearby buildings (think brick buildings as opposed to trailers)
- If a tornado is close, buckle up and stay low. If escaping it is not possible, be sure seatbelts are securely fastened and that all people in the car get as low below the window line as possible.
With some training and practice, your teen will know how to tackle driving when the weather gets bad.
