Last updated 4 months ago
In the wintertime, snow and ice on the roads can be a safety hazard. Though many places plow and salt their streets, you can’t always be sure when roads will be clear. One of the most critical driving lessons is how to safely handle winter road conditions. Here are five tips for handling snow and ice:
Obey Posted Speed Limits
You should always follow posted speed limits, especially when driving in the winter. If conditions are really bad, you should drive even slower. The faster you go, the more likely you are to lose control. Even if other drivers are speeding past you, resist the temptation to drive faster.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
When the road is wet and slippery, you need more room to safely brake and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of you. Keep a safe following distance so that you have plenty of time to brake. Slamming on the brakes is especially dangerous in the winter, because it can cause your car to skid.
Be Careful of Black Ice
Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice frozen over the asphalt. Just because a plow or salt truck has passed down a street doesn’t mean it’s safe; black ice can remain on the road even in areas that have been cleared of snow.
Steer Into Skids
Should you lose control of your car, don’t panic or jerk the wheel suddenly—this will only make the problem worse. Instead, you should steer into the skid and maintain your speed. Slamming the brakes will cause you to lose complete control of your vehicle.
Carry an Emergency Kit
A winter roadside emergency kit can help you deal with break downs, flat tires, and other tough situations. The typical kit should include a flashlight, a blanket, jumper cables, flares, an ice scraper, a snow shovel, and a bag of kitty litter to help you regain traction if your wheels get stuck.
The driver training at Top Driver can teach you the skills you need to safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions. Call us at (888) 471-5418 for more information about our driving school.
Last updated 5 months ago
Over the holiday season, stretching from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, many people celebrate by attending various parties and dinners with friends, family, and coworkers. Any time you attend an event that serves alcoholic beverages, make sure you designate a responsible driver who can get you home safely at the end of the night. Even if you think you feel fine after one or two drinks, you should not get behind the wheel because:
Only Time Can Remove Alcohol from Your Metabolism
Common folk remedies for intoxication, such as drinking strong coffee, stretching or exercising, or splashing cold water on your face simply do not work. The lower your body mass, the more a single drink will affect you. This holiday season, you should surrender your keys to a sober friend if you have had a drink or you could end up causing a car accident.
Driving While Impaired Is Dangerous
Some people insist that they can remain alert and in control of their own bodies after a few drinks. However, these people just can’t perceive the effects of alcohol because they are intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgment and essential skills needed for driving. When you go to a holiday party, don’t let a friend drive while intoxicated, no matter how much he or she insists. Unfortunately, more people die in drunk driving-related accidents during the holidays than at any other time of year.
Drinking is Illegal for Teenagers
If you’re a teenager who is just learning how to drive and who is barely aware of the effects of alcohol, you are more likely to cause a drunk-driving accident. In Illinois, as in many other states, there is a zero-tolerance policy in effect for underage drivers. Any blood alcohol level above 0.00 is automatically considered a crime.
Once you make the commitment to never drive while intoxicated, you still need to learn the skills to drive safely while sober. Top Driver offers complete driver training, designed to teach you how to be a conscientious, responsible driver. Call us at (888) 471-5418 for more information about our driving classes.
Last updated 5 months ago
Even during cold, snowy winter months, people still need to get around. You and thousands of other drivers will need to navigate wet, slippery winter roads when visibility is severely reduced by snow and other precipitation.
When driving in winter weather, make sure that your lights work properly and that other drivers can see you. Keep a brush and scraper in your car to remove snow and ice from your windshield, and carry jumper cables and a flashlight with you in case of emergency. Watch this video for more winter driving tips.
New drivers can learn the skills they need to drive safely in all seasons by taking classes at Top Driver Driving School. Our driver instruction programs are designed to help teens and other novice drivers learn quickly and responsibly. For more information on our classes, give us a call today at (888) 471-5418.
Last updated 5 months ago
Check out these student testimonials to find out why so many Chicago residents take driving lessons from Top Driver. Brush up on car accident and safety information with these online resources:
Call us at (888) 471-5418 if you have questions about enrollment.
Last updated 5 months ago
Just like most things in life, parents know best. This holds especially true when it comes to teen driving. During National Teen Driver Safety Week this October, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Traffic Safety Administration (NTSHA) urged all parents and caregivers to start setting and enforcing “safe driving ground rules for their teens.”
According to an article written by NewsTribune.com, “1,963 young drivers between the ages of 15 to 20 died and an additional 187,000 young drivers were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2010. One out of ten drivers involved in a fatal crash was between the ages of 15 and 20.”
To read the full article click here.
Enrolling your teen in a reliable driving school is just the first step in getting them prepared for taking the keys. Be sure to create and sign a parent-teen driving contract, set aside time to drive with your teen in multiple driving situations, and to discuss your teen’s progress, experiences and concerns.
With locations throughout Chicago and a range of times available, there is sure to be a convenient driver’s education class to fit into any busy schedule. For more information on driving classes in your area, call Top Driver Driving School at (888) 471-5418.
