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ENLARGE
Dan Thrift / Tahoe Daily Tribune / South Tahoe High Students receive tips from California Highway Patrol officers before they get behind the wheel for ice driving as part of their drivers education program Wednesday at the Lake Tahoe Airport.
It was a lesson in ice driving, but other subjects included physics, weather and psychology.
But the 20 or so South Tahoe High School students preferred the outside classroom located on a portion of icy-slick tarmac at the South Tahoe Airport on Wednesday morning to one with desks and chairs and teachers.
Under the guidance of California Highway Patrol officers, students spun, jerked, screeched, halted, skidded and slid in two cars belonging to the drivers education program.
"I don't even have my permit. It's just teenagers going crazy on ice," said junior Mike Rivas.
The teenagers were encouraged to attack the ice like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. But there were lessons in the madness. When fishtailing, the drivers were instructed to hit the gas and turn the wheel in the direction of the car's swerving rear end. Hitting the brakes, said CHP officer Jeff Gartner, won't help control the vehicle.
"You have to fight that instinct to hit the brake," Gartner said.
Other ice-driving lessons focused on avoiding the urge to speed, to provide plenty of space between vehicles, turning head on into a snow bank and to focus on a focal point when directing the vehicle.
But the 20 or so South Tahoe High School students preferred the outside classroom located on a portion of icy-slick tarmac at the South Tahoe Airport on Wednesday morning to one with desks and chairs and teachers.
Under the guidance of California Highway Patrol officers, students spun, jerked, screeched, halted, skidded and slid in two cars belonging to the drivers education program.
"I don't even have my permit. It's just teenagers going crazy on ice," said junior Mike Rivas.
The teenagers were encouraged to attack the ice like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. But there were lessons in the madness. When fishtailing, the drivers were instructed to hit the gas and turn the wheel in the direction of the car's swerving rear end. Hitting the brakes, said CHP officer Jeff Gartner, won't help control the vehicle.
"You have to fight that instinct to hit the brake," Gartner said.
Other ice-driving lessons focused on avoiding the urge to speed, to provide plenty of space between vehicles, turning head on into a snow bank and to focus on a focal point when directing the vehicle.
Chains help slow a vehicle while four-wheel drive helps maintain control a vehicle. On the course, the car without front-wheel drive spun like Bambi on ice.
Gartner was mildly surprised there were no screamers in the group. Naturally though, there was kidding.
"I almost hit the cop car," said freshman Kendra Nelson.
"And the snowbank and the cone," joked sophomore Jonathan Agnew.
Despite the mishaps (one car did run over a hapless orange cone), the advice was practical and the students, when behind the wheel, took the exercise seriously.
"I wish every kid in the basin could do this," said Jack Stafford, assistant principal of South Tahoe High School.
Students said they would remember the ice-driving tips when they have their license to drive.
"I hope so because if you don't remember it you're screwed," Rivas said.
Gartner was mildly surprised there were no screamers in the group. Naturally though, there was kidding.
"I almost hit the cop car," said freshman Kendra Nelson.
"And the snowbank and the cone," joked sophomore Jonathan Agnew.
Despite the mishaps (one car did run over a hapless orange cone), the advice was practical and the students, when behind the wheel, took the exercise seriously.
"I wish every kid in the basin could do this," said Jack Stafford, assistant principal of South Tahoe High School.
Students said they would remember the ice-driving tips when they have their license to drive.
"I hope so because if you don't remember it you're screwed," Rivas said.
Driving on ice
Dos:
Limit speed
Provide plenty of space between you and the car in front of you
If car is sliding uncontrollably, steer in direction the rear end of car is sliding
If antilock brakes engage, keep foot on brakes
Don'ts:
Exceed safe speeds for conditions
Accelerate into or out of corners
Slam on the brakes when fishtailing
Source: CHP
Don'ts:
Exceed safe speeds for conditions
Accelerate into or out of corners
Slam on the brakes when fishtailing
Source: CHP
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