First Tracks: Teens and Winter Driving It’s a weekend tradition for many Idaho families – heading up to snowy mountains to ski or snowboard together. Parents often put quite a bit of time, lessons and teaching moments into making sure their kids have fun and learn safety on the hill. In the same way, learning to drive in winter weather can be a challenge, and teens have a few extra obstacles to overcome as brand new drivers. Just like ski lessons, teens need a little help to be prepared and safe on winter roads. Emily Kormylo, Idaho’s Driver Education Coordinator, says winter is a popular time for parents to enroll their teen in drivers ed. Parents hope the winter conditions will help their teens learn driving skills in challenging situations that can help them year-round. And for a good reason — teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their lack of experience. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiion. Check out this video on Teen Driving -- Don't Be This Guy!. How can parents help? Practice Leave early and slow down Speed is a significant factor in winter crashes. One out of every five crashes in Idaho involves a youthful driver. Younger drivers, especially teens, also showed more risk of contributing factors in crashes like speeding, inattention and tailgating. While the message is simple, slowing down and buckling up are simple ways teens can stay safe on the roads. Encourage your teen to be an engaged driver, in the moment, focused on the road. Be the Driver You Want Them to Be Visit Shift-idaho.org/idahoready for winter-driving tips, including infotmation on winter emergency kits and pointers for new-to-snow drivers. Published 03-13-20 |