This winter season there are new drivers on the road who are adjusting to slippery and snowing pavements. With winter upon us, snow is coming down fast, and these new drivers are having to navigate their way from snow on the roads to black ice.

As snow and ice hide the pavement, it can be scary for new drivers to navigate the roads as unexpected issues could arise. “It’s really stressful because I slip a lot [while driving], and that’s scary because you can get into car accidents,” sophomore Bridget Knopick said.

Some may think students who attend private schools have to drive farther distances than students who go to public schools that are closer to their houses, but with bad driving conditions on the backroads, it’s not any easier. “It’s not easy to drive to school. I don’t live super close but [close enough] so don’t have to take the highway, which means there are more stop signs and people aren’t moving as fast,” sophomore Edina High Schooler Emmy Lewis said.

Although drivers have to be extra cautious on the icy roads, this can help students become safer drivers in the future. “It’s making my driving skills better because I’m being more cautious when I drive,” Knopick said.

Even though students are being cautious some things are unpreventable. City workers do their best to put salt on the roads, but black ice can still be tricky to avoid for drivers. “It’s incredibly scary and stressful. It’s honestly really hard, especially as a new driver. It’s scary when I’m in charge of a vehicle, people’s lives, and my life. Sometimes you can’t control where you’re going or where other people are going,” Lewis said.

When snow falls in the night, a new layer of snow is waiting in the morning. This causes students to arrive late to school, which affects their attendance and what they miss in class. This is not only stressful for the students but also for the teachers. “I have gotten to school late, and it’s kind of annoying,” Knopick said.

Students have morning routines that help them get ready for school each day. When there’s ice and snow on the ground, leaving for school at their regular time can be a problem, but students want to get as much sleep as possible, and leaving earlier can be difficult. “I tried to leave my house earlier, but it’s kind of hard because I have a routine in the morning,” Knopick said.