On Thursday, January 18, 2024, Monique Haine, the owner of Cordewener Driving School and Driving School Maastricht and an expert in the field of driving lessons, was featured in “De Limburger,” the local newspaper in Dutch Limburg. Read the article below about the winter weather conditions on January 17, 2024, and their impact on scheduled driving lessons in Limburg.
Driving Lessons in Snow are Educational and Not So Unsafe
For many drivers, snowy roads pose a unique challenge. For those who do not yet have a driver’s license, it’s an opportunity for extra experience, as long as safety is maintained.
Léon Göbbels barely made it home on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:00 PM, he decided to stop giving driving lessons for the rest of the day. “It was a good decision. The snowfall was too heavy to continue,” he says. Göbbels is the owner of Rijschool Krijtland and often drives on the highest roads in the country. He tries to incorporate weather conditions into his driving lessons as much as possible. “I adapt the lessons accordingly. We find an empty parking lot, and I let the learner experience how the car and tires react to snow and slippery surfaces. It’s a unique and educational experience.”
Costly Damage
The sentiment is the same among all driving schools: “Safety always comes first, not only for the learner but also for other road users,” says Raymond Moonen, who runs a driving school in Wijlre. At 12:00 PM, he stopped teaching on Wednesday due to snow-covered roads. He prefers to cancel a lesson than risk costly damage. “In these weather conditions, we must be especially cautious with other road users,” he emphasizes. He highlights that snow and ice require adjustments on the road. “Some students find it exciting. They are curious about how ABS works or how to handle acceleration and taking turns on snow. We assess what makes the learner comfortable and what is safe. For novice drivers, it’s better to postpone the lesson.”
Amélie is having her lesson with instructor Tom Hendrix this Thursday afternoon. She’s not pleased with the thick layer of snow that fell a day earlier. “Fortunately, I didn’t have a lesson on Wednesday; this afternoon feels much safer,” she says while driving through Valkenburg. However, this day also presents challenging weather conditions. “The low sun causes strong reflections on the asphalt, especially with a wet road surface,” instructor Tom points out. For Amélie, it’s her first time driving in the snow. In her unsalted street, there’s a pile of snow, around fifteen centimeters deep. “I managed to drive through it well,” she says, while Tom nods in agreement.
Cleared Away
Monique Haine, the owner of Cordewener Driving School in Meerssen, closely monitors the situation. From her office, she stays in contact with all the instructors on the road. “They can assess the situation best,” she says. After deciding to stop the lessons at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, work resumes the next day. In the morning, she reassured a woman and informed her that the main roads had been cleared. “Some students have immense fear of going on the road in these conditions. It can be helpful to look at what can be done together with the instructor,” she suggests.
“It should also be somewhat enjoyable; a learner shouldn’t have a nervous breakdown.” “A good set of winter tires and some common sense,” answers Léon Göbbels when asked about the preparations needed for the instructor. He often adapts the lessons based on the circumstances. “In the past, we used to go everywhere. Nowadays, safety comes first, and a thick layer of snow can be nerve-wracking for a learner. We shouldn’t make it too exciting,” he says.
