Growing up, snow was always something I looked forward to seeing because it reminded me of the holidays, with the white trees and snow covered streets, but now it is something I always dread the sight of.

In January of 2023, I was a brand new driver enjoying the perks of freedom with my recently earned license. Although I had learned the importance of driving safely in snow during driver’s education, it never occurred to me how easily one could lose control of their vehicle.

It was the morning going back to school after a long, relaxing winter break. I was so excited to finally be able to drive to school with my second semester parking spot. Before I had left, my dad told me to drive carefully on the roads because of the snowy conditions. I acknowledged his comment but didn’t think much of it.

That was until I made the turn out onto the street and my wheels didn’t move the way I intended them to. My car hit ice and skidded off of the road into a brick gate that was at the entrance of my neighborhood. The entire gate wall collapsed onto my car causing the airbags to deploy into my face, ultimately totaling my first car.

This was a very traumatizing experience and altered the way I drove going forward. These scary and uncontrollable situations are very commonly seen in winter conditions and even more common for new drivers. 

As we enter the winter season and upcoming cold months, it is important for all drivers, new and experienced, to know how to drive safely and efficiently in snowy conditions. 

       1. Be Aware of The Conditions

Before heading out onto the road, it is crucial that on checks the weather app or looks outside to scope out the possibility for an unsafe ride.

According to FEMA.gov, checking the local weather forecasts before hitting the streets can decrease the likelihood of any accidents. It is also important to know the roads you are planning on taking that day, for example, the way you take on your way to school. 

On the way to the high school, there is usually plenty of traffic in the mornings and after school, so giving yourself enough time to drive safely to school is most necessary.

       2. Drive Cautiously 

Although this may seem like an obvious tip, many drivers fail to recognize how easily a car can become out of control. At all times, people should be driving very carefully and slowly when snow hits the ground. 

Exchange.aaa states that accelerating and decelerating slowly can regain traction and help avoid the occurrence of skids. In addition, increasing your following distance behind other vehicles by five to six seconds will ensure a longer distance and time to stop if needed.

Drivers Education teacher Jim Matheson states that when he teaches driving in the snow, he uses the word “TWICE” for all of his new drivers.

“You need to consider driving twice as slow and stopping twice as soon,” said Matheson. “Remember when you are pulling out onto the street, make sure you give approaching cars twice as much distance. Give other cars space, keeping in mind it takes them twice as long to stop as well.”

A frequent cause of accidents for many drivers is sliding into other cars due to being unable to stop, so having these tips in the back of your mind can save you a trip to the auto-shop. 

       3. Know Your Car

One of the most commonly asked questions for new drivers is, “what is that vibrating sound in my car when I try to brake in the snow?” and the answer is that the automatic braking system(ABS) is being activated. A lot of people, including me, tend to assume that the brakes simply aren’t working in those moments, however it is actually the exact opposite. 

The automatic braking system is a safety technology in automobiles that can prevent potential collisions and reduce the speed of the vehicle. Although it may appear the brakes aren’t completely working, they are actually trying to ensure that the car does not slide any further when it hits ice or snow on the roads. 

Adding onto the ABS, having a car with four-wheel drive(4WD) or all-wheel drive(AWD) can also stop a car from drifting off the roads. These two systems deliver power to all four wheels at the same time rather than two-wheel drive which only delivers power to two of the wheels, allowing the others to spin. 4WD and AWD are known as the safest types of driving systems in cars for foul weather conditions. 

At LFHS, a popular type of car brand for many students is a Jeep. Whether it’s the Cherokee, Wrangler, Compass, or any others, Jeeps are known to have 4WD which is beneficial to any students who drive them. 

       4. Staying Calm

Driving in the snow never seems scary or difficult until you experience the effects of it. After some time, new drivers often gain a strong sense of confidence when it comes to driving. Which makes many prone to making irrational decisions like turning too fast or changing lanes too quickly when the conditions get bad. 

Another issue for drivers is getting too worried about your car losing control. This happens to me every time I drive in the snow and I have learned that it is important to stay calm in these situations so you can make better driving decisions. 

Senior Clare Cannady recently experienced an accident due to snow a couple weeks ago and felt the fear of driving in the same conditions post-accident. 

“I was driving to school in the morning and I took a really slow right turn and the car just started to slide. I tried to press on the brakes but it didn’t feel like it was doing much but just shaking,” said Cannady. “I tried to steer but eventually I drove into a rock and into a tree. I had to drive back to school that day and I was so paranoid I was going to get into another accident.”

Any form of accidents can leave people heavily impacted. No matter the severity or damage, it is a scary situation that no driver wants to be in. Post-accident driving can cause people to spiral in fear of it happening again, so taking it slow and giving yourself time is the key to having a safe ride. 

All drivers should take into consideration these simple, but effective driving tips for this upcoming winter season. Experienced or not, safety should be the number one priority for every driver for the sake of their own well being and for others.