In Minnesota, the weather can be unpredictable. From winters that never seem to let go to summer storms, there’s always a risk that people could be involved in a dangerous weather event.

When you’re a skilled driver, you might not worry much about the weather and its impact on your driving. However, if you were a young or new driver, you might not be as sure about how to handle poor weather conditions.

As a parent, how can you prepare your children for hazardous driving conditions?

There are a few things you can do. Every teen has to go through the driving program, but parents have the ability to require more training of their children. Enroll your child into an advanced driving course, and make sure they drive in different weather conditions when you’re there to support them.

Another good tip is to remember that there is a requirement for the total number of driving hours a teen needs before getting their license, but those are largely self-reported. The best way to make sure your teen is getting an education in driving safely is to drive safely yourself and to ride with them when they’re learning.

Not all teens feel comfortable behind the wheel, so it can help to have a graduated program in mind. You might start with only 10 or 15 minutes of driving around the neighborhood in the snow or during a minor storm and work up to driving in more dangerous conditions. Doing this is a great way to make sure your teen is prepared for driving no matter what the conditions are like.

Keep in mind that if your teen is in an accident due to another’s driver’s negligence, it’s always wise to find out more about your legal rights.