Research In Action

According to the US Department of Transportation, weather-related crashes account for over 20 percent of all motor vehicle crashes and kill more people than large scale natural disasters combined. A few years ago I blogged about some tips on driving safely in winter (following a particularly harrowing drive of my own). Since then, we have developed some new resources for families, particularly on how to prepare their teen drivers for winter weather driving:

• Sometimes the best thing to do for a teen passenger or driver is to stay put and wait until the roads are safer to drive on or to find an alternative way home with a more experienced driver. 
• The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds us to check tire pressure during cold weather, to keep the gas tank full, and to program the radio for traffic reports. A basic survival kit for the car includes tire chains, an ice scraper, jumper cables, road flares, a flashlight, batteries, a blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and a first aid kit.
• Watch this video to help your teen be prepared when driving in inclement weather conditions -- https://youtu.be/UnbY1DkFPM0.