Our Oak Grove, MO Car Accident Attorneys Warn Newly-Licensed Drivers about Winter Dangers

Our Oak Grove, MO car accident lawyers understand the threats that motorists will be faced with during the remainder of the year. As the winter approaches, the weather will prove to be more difficult to drive in. This weather is even more dangerous to drive in if you're a teen driver.

Parents are urged to talk with their newly licensed drivers about these seasonal dangers before they head out onto the snowy roadways. Teen driver education can help us to prevent accidents like the one we recently experienced in Kansas City that took the like of an 11-year-old girl.

A prayer service was held for that 11-year-old girl who was recently killed in a three-car accident in Oak Grove, Missouri. The accident was all caused by a 16-year-old driver, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. It happened when the newly licensed driver was heading northbound on Interstate 170 near Natural Bridge Road when she ran off the road.

After leaving the roadway, her vehicle struck a cable barrier and was sent spinning back into the roadway where it struck the vehicle with the 11-year-old passenger. It spun on to hit a third car, according to KSDK.

The 11-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Her sister who was also riding in the vehicle was flown to St. Louis Children's Hospital. The driver of the third vehicle involved in the accident was also seriously injured. Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.

It's important to talk with your teen driver about the dangers of driving on icy and snowy roads. Talk with them about the safety steps they can take to help make winter driving safer.

Before the winter, make sure that your teen winterizes their vehicle. Make sure that their exhaust system is working properly, that their oil is changed and full, that their battery is working properly, and that their car has enough antifreeze. It's a good idea to talk with them about holding off on driving until the roads have been plowed.

Even then, it's good to remind them to keep an eye out for vehicles that may be disabled on the side of the road. Lastly, make sure that they check the level of their windshield wiper fluid and the condition of their windshield wipers, brakes, and tires.

Share these tips with your teen for driving in snowy conditions, from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT):

• Never speed. Abide by all posted speed limits.
• Use common sense and adjust your driving habits to the current driving conditions.
• Allow enough space for snowplows. Never pass them and leave plenty of room in front and behind them.
• Buckle up during every trip.
• Remember that driving is most dangerous when traveling in temperatures around 32 degrees.
• Make sure that windows, lights, and mirrors are kept clean.
• Keep the vehicle's lights on.
• If you feel uncomfortable driving in the current weather conditions, pull over in a safe place and wait it out.
• Make sure that the gas tank is always at least half full.
• Never pass other vehicles when driving near or on a bridge.