Dealing With the Elements – A Safety Guide For Teen Drivers

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We can’t always be with them, but you can live assured that with Preferred Mutual auto coverage, you’re getting the best protection for your teen!

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It isn’t much of a joyride if you’re “white-knuckle” driving! Read on for the best strategies you can share with your teen driver when they are facing inclement weather on the road.

Roads are dirty places. Between tires stirring up gravel and engines dripping oil and other fluids, there could be significant build up on roads. Then add severe weather like heavy rain and the roads are instantly slicker, as water brings those oils to the surface!

Often, the best strategy for driving in bad weather is to avoid it entirely, but if your teen is already out and about and gets caught in severe conditions, these safe driving tips can certainly help them arrive to their destination safely!

Rain and Snow

• Turn Your Headlights On: Many states require drivers to keep their headlights on if windshield wipers are on, too!
• Increase Your Following Distance: This will allow your teen more time to react in the event the car in front of them stops abruptly. Hydroplaning in the rain is often caused by too quick of a reaction, causing the car to lose traction of the road.
• Safety Check: Make sure the car is prepared for seasonal conditions (check the battery, windshield wipers and washer fluid, tire pressure and tread, antifreeze, and headlights).
• Use Caution Near Intersections and Merges: Just because the light is green or your teen has the right of way, the intersection might still not be cleared – keeping their head and eyes moving in search of potential hazards will minimize risk for all drivers on the road!
• Stay in One Lane as Much as Possible: Avoid unnecessary lane changes (your teen shouldn’t be zipping in and out of traffic, passing people, etc.). Often, accidents occur when a vehicle is making quick movements in bad conditions.
• Keep Hands on the Wheel: With two eyes on the road, their mind focused on driving, your teen should keep their hands on the wheel and refrain from fiddling with the radio, GPS, or cell phone.

Scorching Sun and Fuzzy Fog

• Wear UV Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare and improve visibility. The car’s pop-down visor can help, as well!
• Slow Down: Whether it’s bright, foggy, or rainy -- the slower the speed of the vehicle, the easier it will be for your teen to recognize potential hazards and control, slow and stop the car.
• High Beams Don’t Help in Fog: If your teen’s car has fog lights, use them! They’ll help your teen see the edges of the road close to the car in severe, dense fog. Fog can reduce visibility to less than ¼ mile ahead, making it hard to see brake lights, traffic lights or signs, or other people on the road.

We can’t always be with them, but you can live assured that with Preferred Mutual auto coverage, you’re getting the best protection for your teen!  Come wind, rain, or fog, Preferred Mutual we’ll see you through it.

This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice and/or an authoritative guide.