Polar vortex: the weather event responsible for triggering post-traumatic stress disorder and striking fear into the hearts of Michiganders last year.

Oakland University and much of metro Detroit closed their doors for periods of time due to the abnormally ferocious ice, snow and frigid temperatures.

While it seems as if this winter’s weather has been on an upswing, Rachel Wilson, lead instructor of driver training with AAA Michigan, still provides invaluable information on winter driving, safety and preparedness.

Wilson found an open position with AAA after searching for a career post-graduation from OU. Looking to put her degree in education to work, Wilson jumped at the opportunity.

“I thought it would be the perfect fit for me,” she said. “I’ve been teaching driver’s training with AAA for over eight years and I love it.”

As an instructor, Wilson is responsible for making sure that her students leave the program with as much information as possible on safe driving and proper handling of a motor vehicle, with winter driving safety being an imperative focus.

“There are many important considerations a young driver needs to make while driving in winter weather,” Wilson said. “The first thing is to not overestimate your driving abilities. Many experienced drivers find winter weather challenging to drive in at times.”

Wilson said that there are two adjustments that people need to make immediately with the onset of winter: slowing down and increasing the space between their car and others on the road.

“It takes a lot longer to slow down in snow and ice and both of these adjustments help compensate for that,” she said. “Also be sure to accelerate and decelerate as gradually as possible.”

While it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty and wonderment of freshly fallen snow, it’s equally as simple to forget about snow’s ugly counterpart: ice.

“Coming out of drivers training, I knew winter driving was more treacherous, but I had no idea how to handle slippery conditions,” sophomore Anna Roberts said.

Wilson said that when it comes to driving on ice, “it really is best to stay home.”

“Keep in mind even if you drive properly, others may not,” she said.

“If you must absolutely drive,” Wilson said, “go as slow as you can and leave plenty of space with other vehicles. Give yourself a lot of extra time to stop and take turns very slow.”

Wilson also warns against – especially for college students – driving fatigued in bad weather when coming home late from school, gym or social events.

“Better safe than sorry” the old adage goes, and in the case of winter driving, it may seem like common sense. Wilson begs to differ.

“I find most people, regardless of age, fail to have the proper supplies in their vehicle,” Wilson said, discussing preparedness for vehicular emergencies.

“A very basic winter car kit should include blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medications,” she said.

Wilson said that a small car shovel and bags of sand or cat litter placed in the trunk can really make a difference, allowing drivers to more easily avoid getting stuck in the snow.

Even if OU students arm themselves with emergency kits and bags of cat litter for the upcoming winter months, Wilson cautions that there is one more key component to driving safely in the winter: good tires.

“Don’t neglect your tires,” she said. “They are crucial when it comes to driving safe all year but especially in inclement weather.”

“Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that they have adequate tread depth,” Wilson said. “Having tires in good condition helps them grip the road and decrease your stopping distance.”

Roberts said that winter driving skills, especially in our climate, have to develop quickly. To handle this, she thinks more emphasis should be placed on them in teen drivers training.

With knowledgeable instructors like Wilson eager to provide the campus community with tips on how to stay safe on the roads this winter, one doesn’t have to take a refresher course in driver training to sharpen their safe driving skills.