Preparing Your Teen Driver for Winter

As we creep further into the final month of the year, we must start preparing for the winter weather that will strike our region. It’s not a question of if, but a question of when. With that in mind, you might be worried about your teenage son or daughter who just started driving and how they will fair on the dangerous roadways of the Garden State.

Preparing your teen driver for the winter could be a stressful situation. Many teenagers tend to think they are invincible, especially behind the wheel. They aren’t. In fact, snow and ice can create hazardous conditions for even the most experienced drivers.

The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has compiled some tips for parents to think about, so you don’t have to constantly worry about your teen driver on the road this winter.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

During the winter months, many of the bad experiences that teen drivers endure could have been prevented. One of the best things a parent can do for their teen is to make sure their car is properly maintained for the winter. At the very least, you should teach your son or daughter about proper winter weather car maintenance.

Proper maintenance of your teen’s vehicle includes:

• Keeping your gas tank full (or close to full)
• Keeping your wiper blades in good condition
• Having extra wiper fluid
• Making sure your tires are in good condition (good tread, properly inflated, etc.)
• Getting your battery checked and make sure it lasts the winter

In Case of Emergency

One of the easiest things to do to prepare your teen driver for the winter is creating an emergency kit to keep in their car. Keeping your car properly maintained is only half the battle. When the winter weather is too overpowering, your teen’s car, along with your car, could get stuck on the side of a New Jersey road. In that situation, an emergency kit could save their life.

A good emergency kit consists of a blanket, extra clothing, a flashlight, flares, and a shovel. It’s always best to have an extra cell phone charger on hand too.

Let Your Teen Practice

Driving in the snow and ice can be a scary experience. To prepare your teen driver for the winter, take them to an empty parking lot after it snows. You can teach how to brake, turn, and accelerate in less than ideal conditions. You can also show your teen how to use your car’s emergency features, like the emergency brake.

Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone

Winter can be a scary time for all new drivers, and it’s best to have your teen prepared for the worst. At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we’ve been helping victims of winter weather auto accidents for more than thirty years. Contact our Jersey City office today to secure your free consultation.

CALL NOW: 201-829-3805