Learning to drive in winter is a smart idea
A comment that we often hear is “Why should I learn to drive in the winter when the summer is so much nicer”. That may be true, but wouldn’t it be better to learn how to accelerate, brake and steer when road conditions are not normal when you can have an instructor sitting beside you?
Having a driving instructor beside you to train you properly for winter driving will also better prepare you for your lifetime of winter driving. Learning why we need extra space in front and on the sides in poor conditions will make more sense when you can actually apply it in those conditions.
I’ve had many students from Young Drivers of Canada who were very nervous the moment it snowed outside and they had a driving lesson. They were nervous about what the car would do if they hit the gas too hard or braked too abruptly. Good thing I was there to guide them along.
The first thing I had them do was to begin stopped on a quiet road and when I gave the word, they had to hit the gas quickly so they could feel what the car did and hear the spinning wheels. I then had them gradually press the gas so they could see how much pressure to press on the gas while on snow covered roads so the vehicle remained under control. I also had them get their speed up slightly and then slam on the brakes. This quickly activated the anti-lock brakes (ABS) but showed the students what the brakes felt and sounded like when hit hard on a slippery road. I then had them gradually apply the brakes so they knew what type of pressure the brake pedal needed so the car was able to stop safely along the snow covered road.
There is only so much we can retain from classroom time. It’s the practical training that can put it all together for you. Think of it as learning to ride a bike. Using a stationary bike may give you the feeling of how to pedal, but you really need to get on the road and tackle it for real. The same can be said for winter driving. Learning the basics in the classroom help to plant the seed, but you need the practical training in that type of weather to make that seed grow.
The added benefit is that your confidence will grow as a driver. If you can handle driving in poor weather, the good weather conditions will be that much easier. What are you waiting for? It’s time to drive!