December 22, 2010

Temperatures below zero, snow, wind, frost, ice. The tell-tale signs of winter. Whenever the month of December rolls around, the temperatures drop like they’re afraid of the sun and the streets turn into a hazardous race track. Winter is by far the most dangerous time of year, especially with the driving conditions.

On December 1st, snow fell for the first time this year causing a mass panic of parents worrying about their teens getting to school the next day. That wasn’t half as bad though, as it was on the 13th, when a good six inches covered the ground. At least we got a snow day. But even then the whole week following that glorious Monday, there was ice covering the roads, and snow plows still working to uncover the parking space lines.

When we had to go back to school, it was a miracle to see that my car was between the lines at the end of the day, considering that fact at 6:30 that morning the chances of being parked properly were pretty slim.

We teenagers aren’t the only ones that worry about driving in this weather though. My guess is actually that parents worry about us driving more than themselves driving in these sometimes treacherous conditions. It’s understandable though, because it’s a parent’s job to worry about their kids. But, we as the kids need to take the time actually be careful, so our parents don’t have to worry quite so much.

Driving in the snow on ice covered roads; everyone needs to pay attention to everything around them. The people driving in the lane next to you, the car behind you, the car in front of you and the intersections you are approaching.

When the roads a slick and icy, everyone should drive slowly and carefully no matter what kind of car you have. Fish-tailing might sound fun, but if it happens while you are turning left out of your subdivision it’s scary.

Stopping is another thing to watch for with slick streets. Keeping the distance double what you normally do will better insure that you don’t hit the car in front of you. Also, stopping at an intersection you really have to be attentive to where you are in accordance to the stop light, and how much time you have until the light changes from yellow to red.

In the summer, sometimes you slam on the brakes to stop quickly, but in the winter that could mean sliding into the intersection. And that is not something anyone wants to do.