Bad Weather, Safe Driving: Lifesaving Tips

Gr 9 Up—Narrator Michelle Rojas comes across as a friend when she warns students that driving can be great in good weather, but downright nasty in hazardous conditions. And if that doesn't grab the audience, the statistic that 25 percent of all crashes are weather related, just might. She goes on to say that the best advice for driving in stormy weather is not to, but if one must, slow down and try to remain calm and alert. The program is loaded with driving know-how and car safety tips. The tremendous amount of information is organized in short, concise chapters that can be accessed independently. Viewers are reminded to check tire tread, lights, oil, brakes, windows and mirrors; advised to practice driving in the snow in a parking lot with an experienced driver; cautioned to leave time for defrosters to warm up; and counseled to keep an ice scraper in the car, not in the garage. Also, hydroplaning in stormy weather is clearly explained. Is this common knowledge? Not to a new driver. The narration is broken up by interviews with a police officer, mechanic, driving instructor, and meteorologist. Cause and effect presentations of driving situations are convincing, and there is enough here to merit repeated viewings. Bad Weather, Safe Driving would enhance a driver's education program or a life skills curriculum.—Mary Lee Bulat, Harwinton Public Library, CT