Now that the weather is cooling down and fall has officially begun, we can all break out our sweaters, scarves, and pumpkin-flavored drinks. Fall weather calls for more than warmer clothing, however. The colder weather often ushers in rain, fallen leaves, and other road hazards that can make driving dangerous for licensed teens. Since teen drivers are substantially less seasoned than adults, navigating fall weather is typically more hazardous, so it is your duty as a parent to impart crucial safety tips for them to follow.
The Challenges of Fall Weather
The changing colors of leaves, from green to hues of yellow, orange, and red, are beautiful to behold, but this remarkable season is also deceptively dangerous for new drivers. When leaves fall to the ground and cover the road, they also inevitably hide potholes, lane markings, and even make the street dangerously slick. In fact, wet and decomposing leaves are as slick as ice and can easily cause a vehicle to spin out of control.
If you have a teen driver in your household, talk about the importance of adjusting some of their driving habits to accommodate the changing weather. Your teen should always ahead in order to avoid speeding or other reckless driving habits.
Here are some other tips you can review with your teen driver:
- Make sure the car is safe to drive: Driving is about more than hitting the road and obeying traffic laws. Your teen should also inspect the vehicle before driving. Knowing how to inspect tires and understanding when a vehicle needs an oil change is essential, basic knowledge for any driver. When the weather changes from hot to cold, a vehicle’s tire often expands and contracts, which leads to a loss of pressure.
- Maintain distance: If it is raining or foggy, it will be difficult to see, so it is even more crucial than ever to maintain a safe distance. Your teen can use the vehicle’s fog lights or low beams to increase visibility. However, never use the high beams in foggy weather conditions.
- Look out for deer: Autumn is the start of the breeding season for deer, so you can expect them to be more active and in areas near the road. If you live in an area with deer crossing signs, make sure your teen driver knows to look out for them. If a deer runs out on the road, your teen driver should not swerve to avoid hitting the deer. Braking firmly but slowly can help avoid hitting the animal and getting involved in a serious accident.
- Clean the windshield: The windshield of your teen’s vehicle should be cleaned inside and out. Dust, streaks, and other particles can all be illuminated by the sun, making it incredibly difficult to see.
Discuss Your Personal Injury Case with Us Today!
You do everything you can to keep your teen driver safe, but no one can prevent an accident from occurring, especially when other drivers behave negligently on the road. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, our Connecticut personal injury lawyers are committed to representing the wrongfully injured and their families, so they can obtain the fair compensation they deserve.
Contact us today at (203) 806-7922 to schedule a consultation!