WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

By MEGAN FICO

With the winter season in full swing, the weather is getting colder and the road conditions are becoming more treacherous.  Even the slightest bit of rain can freeze on the roads rendering it unsafe.  Of course, students at Washingtonville High School love the winter weather because it means snow days and delays.  What they sometimes fail to realize is that the roads in these conditions can be extremely dangerous.  

Although some students might not need to drive far to get to school, the parking lot can be just as dangerous as the roads since there are so many people compacted into a limited amount of space.  Finding a parking spot can be very stressful when taking these factors into consideration along with the slippery conditions.  

It is very important for students to be extra cautious during the winter season because there are features that could make the roads more slippery and dangerous to drive on.  Extreme weather conditions can make a difference in motorists’ normal driving habits.  These conditions mostly affect one’s ability to see, which is very limited in adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, ice, snow, and dust.

Among all weather conditions, fog is probably the most dangerous which can happen very often during the winter months.  Driversed.com, a website that teaches online lessons for driving and also writes articles about safe driving, informs, “If you are driving in foggy weather, lower your speed and turn on your low-beam headlights.  If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see, pull safely and completely off the road.”  

Driversed.com also warns, “You should slow down at the first sign of rain, drizzle, or snow on the road,” because this is when many road surfaces are most slippery.  The slippery roads can reduce traction which causes people to be more at risk of losing control of their vehicle which accounts for many accidents that occur in the winter months.

Parents frequently question whether or not to hand over the car keys on days when the weather just won’t cooperate.  James Fico, father of a senior at Washingtonville High School, claims, “It is very nerve wracking to allow my kid to leave for school under these conditions.  That’s why I make sure I get a text when they get to school in the morning and when they leave at the end of the day.  It’s my way of knowing they made it safely.  I do it wherever they go so I’m not worrying about them all day.”  

Mikela Butler, senior at WHS, drives herself to school each day.  Mikela feels that “driving when the roads are icy and snowy is dangerous and scary.”  Some tips she has for students and all other drivers who are battling driving in these harsh winter conditions are to “make sure your car is in four wheel drive before leaving your house and always make sure you have a snow/ice scraper in your car for when there’s ice covering your windshield.” 

Safe driving is always important no matter what the season or the conditions of the roads.   Whatever the condition, it is always important to be aware of what is happening within the environment, not only for one’s own safety, but for the safety of everyone else.   It is very important to always be alert when driving on the roads and remember: slower is better when it comes to wet, icy roads.