New Jersey driving instructor offers tips for driving safely in snow

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - No matter the weather, or your experience on the road, lessons from the experts can be priceless. 

"Distance is your friend," said Ash Sharma, a driving instructor of more than 20 years for Piscataway-based 4 All Driving School. He was out with a student driver on the snowy roads and parking lots of Bridgewater on Friday. 

Getting behind the wheel as a new driver can be nerve-racking, but in conditions like this, Sharma has seen some student drivers sweat. 

"Yeah, they are more nervous about it," said Sharma, "but after they've driven for a while, they get confidence." 

It may have been a long time since you last sat in a car with a driving instructor. Regardless, Aharma's advice spans all ages and seasons. 

"As the snow accumulates, the friction goes down," he said.  

Sharma teaches his students that for every five miles per hour, you are driving, ideally, give the car ahead one car length of distance. 

Another scenario Sharma teaches his students is sliding on ice or snow. "In that situation, the first thing is to stop giving gas. Step one. Now, because your vehicle's sliding, you don't want to press the brake too much either." 

He teaches them to turn the front wheels in the direction of where the rear of the car is sliding. 

"Then you start to take control gently. Do not push it," said Sharma. "This is where the distance helps. If you were keeping the distance in the first place, you're not going into another car or pedestrian." 

Before all, Sharma says to keep a cool head - and never panic. 

"It is okay," said Sharma. "You can drive."