Driving in Other Conditions

When You Cannot See Because of Fog, Rain, or Snow

The best advice is avoid driving in the fog. Do not use high-beam headlights in the fog because they create glare and reduce visibility. Only use low-beam headlights in the fog. Consider postponing a trip until the fog clears.

If your teen must drive, have them slow down and turn on the low-beam headlights. Never drive with just the parking or fog lights. Increase your following distance and be prepared to stop within the space you can see in front of your vehicle. Avoid crossing or passing lanes of traffic unless absolutely necessary. Listen for traffic they cannot see. Use their wipers and defroster as necessary for best vision.

If the fog becomes so thick that your teen can barely see, have them pull completely off the road and activate the hazard warning lights. Do not continue driving until the weather improves.

When the weather is bad:

1. Slow down at the first sign of rain, drizzle, or snow on the This is when roads are most slippery because oil and dust have not been washed away.
2. Turn on the lights when visibility is poor—even in the daylight hours.
3. In very heavy rain or snowstorm, they may not beabletoseemorethan 100 feet They may have to stop from time to time to wipe mud or snow off the windshield, headlights, and taillights. When driving in snowy areas, carry the proper equipment (chains, tires, etc.) in case they find themselves in conditions where they cannot drive without the proper equipment (see the vehicle owner’s manual).

Note: You must turn on your headlights if snow, rain, fog, dust, or low visibility (1,000 feet or less) requires the continuous use of windshield wipers.

Driving on Slippery Roads

When driving on wet, icy, gravel, or dirt roads have your teen:

• Drive slowly and stay farther behind the vehicle ahead.
• Slow down as they approach curves and intersections.
• Avoid quick stops and fast turns.
• If applicable, shift into a lower gear before going down a steep hill.
• Avoid slippery areas, such as ice patches, wet leaves, oil, and deep puddles.

Driving in Wind

Drive slower than normal when it is very windy. Lighter vehicles, vans, recreational vehicles, andtruckswithbroad, high sides are sometimes blown out of their lane. If possible, avoid driving next to other vehicles. Have your teen grasp the steering wheel firmly. Be prepared to correct their steering as the wind force changes. Keep the windows closed.

When You Are Stuck in Snow or Mud

If your teen is stuck in snow or mud, they should:

1. Shiftintoalowgearandkeep the front wheels straight.
2. Gently step on the gas pedal.
3. Avoid spinning the Drive forward as far as possible.
4. Shift into reverseandslowly back up as far as Do not spin the wheels.
5. Shift into a low gear again and drive forward.
6. Repeataforward-backward motion until the vehicle rolls free.
7. In deep mud or snow, put boards, tree branches, etc., under the tires. Never do this when the tires are spinning.

Hydroplaning

If water on the road is deeper than the tread of the tires, a fast moving vehicle may glide over the water and not touch the road surface. This condition is called hydroplaning. If they can see reflections on the road, or the vehicle ahead leaves no tracks on the water, the vehicle could hydroplane. To avoid hydroplaning, your teen should:

• Drive slowly.
• Maintain good tire tread.
• Have their tires properly inflated.
• If possible, steer around water.
• If they hear a sloshing sound from the tires, especially when changing directions, slow down.