Last Saturday, Winter weather struck Oswego and may continue for the next few months, affecting how everyone must drive to remain safe.

Normally, it takes senior Gavin Zuber about five minutes to drive to school each morning.

“We spent 16 minutes getting the snow and ice off. It was like a 16-minute drive,” Zuber said.

According to the National Weather Service, “When driving, if roads are snow covered or icy, slow down and drive carefully. Vehicle stopping distances are increased 2-6 times on snow and ice.”

While drivers have to deal with the icy roads, student drivers are learning to adapt quickly to these rough conditions. Laura Nussle is the Kinetic Wellness department chair and a driving instructor for East. Her teenage daughter learned firsthand how dangerous driving in the winter can be.

“She went in the ditch because she took the conditions too fast, and we had to go get her out,” Nussle said.

Winter weather can be dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. It is recommended to slow down and be more vigilant during adverse weather such as snow, slush, sleet, and ice. Before driving, clean off all the snow and ice from the windows and windshields on the car, and use your car’s windshield defrost feature if possible. 

If your car does not have a dedicated defrost function, you can turn your heat to high and the A/C on to achieve the same functionality. Using a brush and an ice scraper can speed up the process. Always avoid using hot water on the windshield as it can crack and potentially shatter your windshield.

Written by junior Aiden Pantojas and senior Jacob Taylor. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.