With Strategies from our Driver's Education Instructor, Mr. Feldker
By this time of the year, everyone who can drive has experienced slipping and sliding while driving, but do you know what to do when it's more dangerous on the roads? We asked the Heyworth High School driver's ed teacher what to do when the weather gets bad. Mr. Felker said, “If you start to slide, take your foot off the gas and brake pedal as well. Steer into the direction of the skid until regaining traction to allow one to straighten out.”.If you can't stop sliding and you slide off the road, then it's best to try the rocking method to gain traction or place a floor mat or other material under the tires to help gain traction. If you can not free yourself, call for help."
We then asked two Heyworth High School students about driving in the bad weather. We asked these two students what they would do if they were about to get in a crash. The first student said it's important to stay calm as well as to be able to see in front of you and to take your foot off the gas and brake pedal. The second student said to take your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the opposite direction and remain calm. If you are too stressed out, you could make the wrong move. Clearly, these students paid attention to Mr. Feldker's driving instructions as their answers were very similar.
We then asked them if they knew how to change the tire to their spare and why is it important to know. They both said yes. It is also important to know how just in case of an emergency you don't want be waiting hours in a situation that might be dangerous for someone to come help.
For our readers, take some time next time you go out to your car and make sure you have everything you need in case of an emergency. The weather is unreliable at times and driving can be very dangerous. It's important to know what to do in case something does happen. The most important thing to do is stay calm and take note of your surroundings.
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