Here are a few tips provided by young drivers that might help as you enter the world of driving:

• Arrive at school five to ten minutes early and leave five minutes late to avoid the mad dash into and out of the parking lots. Many collisions happen when teens are rushing around.
• Watch for kids getting on or off a school bus. If a school bus has stopped and the red lights are flashing – Do Not Pass. This indicates that the bus is picking up or dropping off passengers.
• Go slow – obey the speed limits. Speeding does not get you there quicker and it could get you or someone else killed.
• While you are learning and improving your skills, avoid turning left across busy intersections that do not have left turn traffic light controls. It takes a while to learn how to judge the speed of the oncoming traffic. Eventually this will be easier for you.
• Do not make assumptions about what other drivers are going to do. The only thing you can assume about another driver with a turn signal on is that the turn signal is on. The driver might not be turning.
• When there is an obstruction in your lane, wait for oncoming traffic to clear before you go around. Just because someone is blocking your lane it does not mean you have the right of way in the next or oncoming lane.
• Always wear your seat belt, and make sure all your passengers do as well.
• Never try to fit more people than you have seatbelts for in your car.
• Do not run red or yellow lights.
• Use turn signals to tell other drivers what you are doing. Turn your signal on in time to give the drivers behind time to react before you take the action.
• When the traffic light turns green, make sure vehicles and pedestrians clear the intersection before you go.
• Do not drive like you own the road – drive like you own the car.

New Drivers in Bad Weather

Keeping control of a motor vehicle can be challenging in ideal conditions and even more difficult when conditions are less than ideal. Here are a few tips to help you if you must travel in bad weather conditions:

• Turn on your headlights whenever you drive, and especially in rain, fog, sleet, freezing rain, or snow. In fog, heavy rain or snow, do not use your high beam headlights as it only makes it harder to see.
• Double the space you normally leave between you and the vehicle in front of you. You will need more room to stop on slippery roads than when the pavement is dry.
• Brake gently.

Braking in bad weather can be tricky. When braking on wet roads:

• If you have ABS (anti-lock) brakes do not pump the brakes, instead maintain steady pressure.
• If you skid with non-ABS brakes ease off the brakes to unlock the wheels, then brake again gently without locking the wheels.

Winter Driving Tips for Alberta Motorists

Do your part to keep our highways safe this winter and make it easier for maintenance crews to clear away snow and ice as quickly and efficiently as possible. Plan ahead and drive according to the conditions.

Keep your vehicles in shape for winter driving

• Winterize your vehicles. This should include an examination of the spare tire, battery, belts, hoses, anti-freeze, tires, brakes, heater, defroster and windshield wipers.
• Carry an emergency road kit in your vehicle’s trunk or cargo space.
• Clear all snow and ice completely off windows, side view mirrors, headlights, taillights and licence plates.
• Buckle up and adjust head restraints. The centre of your head restraint should be even with the top of your ears.
• Try to keep your vehicle’s fuel tank more than half full. The extra volume can help reduce moisture problems in your fuel system and it adds extra weight to your vehicle. A topped-up gas tank will also be an asset if you become stranded.

Don’t expect clear and dry summer highway conditions in the winter

The Alberta government and its highway maintenance contractors work hard to keep Alberta’s highways clear and open to traffic during the winter. However, some severe storms exceed their ability to keep highways free of snow and ice. This may be caused by the amount of snow, timing or duration of the storm, high winds, freezing rain or a combination of all of these factors.

Drive cautiously during bad weather

• Slow down when conditions aren’t ideal. The posted speed limit is intended for ideal road conditions. Even if road signs say you may drive 110 km/h, that doesn’t mean you should if the road is icy or snow-covered.
• Motorists have a legal obligation to drive according to road conditions. You can be charged with a traffic offence by police if you are found not to be doing so.
• Unless travel is absolutely necessary, stay off the roads during major storms.
• Stay back from snowplows. They will let you pass every five to eight kilometres or when it is safe to do so.
• Plan the best route to your destination ahead of time.
• Keep your headlights on all the time – don’t rely on daytime running lights. Low beams are more effective than high beams in fog or heavy snow conditions.
• Never use cruise control in winter conditions.
• When travelling on snowy roads, try driving outside of the previous tire tracks to give you some extra traction. This also helps when there are shiny ruts in the road.
• Signal well in advance of turning to give other motorists time to anticipate and react to your actions. Check your rearview and side mirrors, and always shoulder check before changing lanes.
• Avoid sudden moves by anticipating turns or lane changes. Abrupt changes in direction or slamming on the brakes could cause you to spin out of control.
• On a wet or slick surface, allow yourself at least three times the normal following distance to stop.
• Remember that bridge decks may be slippery even when other parts of the highway are not, since they are subject to greater temperature fluctuations.
• Know your braking system and how it reacts on ice. Always be gentle with braking pressure on slick roads.
• Avoid braking on curves by driving through them at a safe, steady speed.
• Accelerate slightly when approaching a hill and then maintain a steady speed going up.
• Gear down for both uphill climbs and downhill grades. This can help you avoid brake wear and chances of sliding. But be careful of abrupt downshifting as it can upset a vehicle’s balance and cause a skid to occur, particularly when turning.
• Take your foot off the brake if your vehicle begins to skid and steer in the direction you want to go. When the wheels regain their grip, brake firmly and smoothly.
• If you are driving a rear-wheel drive, prepare to steer just enough in the opposite direction in order to prevent a counter skid.

For your comfort, safety and peace of mind, you should carry an emergency road kit in your vehicle’s trunk or cargo space. Pack or replenish these supplies:

• blanket
• extra clothing and footwear
• emergency non-perishable food
• candle in a deep tin
• waterproof matches
• first aid kit
• flashlight with extra batteries
• fire extinguisher
• booster cables
• ice scraper
• snowbrush
• paper towels or rags
• road map
• compass
• sand, road salt or kitty litter, and
• shovel

If you have a cell phone, carry it with you.