APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Driving on Wisconsin roads and highways can be especially difficult after winter storms, but some drivers may be more prepared for the winter driving than those who recently received their license.
Wisconsin winters can even get the best of experienced drivers, but a program that allows some teens to forego their behind the wheel test to get a driver’s license, may not fully prepare them for slippery roads.
“I would say that — of my two friends who have taken it — I don’t think they’ve gotten into a car accident,” high school senior Ian McGowan said.
McGowan has his probationary license, although he never had to take a traditional driving test. He’s had one minor accident in winter driving, but he still prefers the waiver system because it eliminates some stress. He also believes the road test doesn’t tell the entire story.
“I think I personally could pass the test if it is just a display of knowledge,” McGowan said. “It’s just laid out for you and you can’t create the drastic situations.”
McGowan may not be alone. According to Wisconsin DMV administrator Kristina Boardman, early findings from the program suggest positive results.
“Those who have the road test waived actually had a lower crash and conviction rate than those who took the road test with us. Those who took the road test actually had a 6% higher crash rate and a 19% higher conviction rate than the waiver group.”
Eighty-seven percent of eligible drivers have decided to waive the road test. Boardman tells FOX 11 the success has been in part because of the eligibility requirements.
“You need to have held your instruction permit for at least six months violation free. You need to have completed driver’s education and behind the wheel with 50 hours of supervised driving with a parent. And your parent, sponsor needs to sign off on that.”
There’s no specific data for how the waiver program has prepared young drivers for driving in winter months.
“Some have had their permit with winter weather or without,” Boardman said. “But part of the parent supervised driving program is that they’re supposed to get them out there in a variety of conditions.”
McGowan tells FOX 11 his first two winters as a driver wouldn’t be much different even if he had taken the road test.
“I’ve made it off with little to no damage except just now. I wouldn’t say I had bad driving experiences in the winter — just minor slipping and sliding sometimes.”
The DMV is continuously sending data to the state legislature who will decide if the program will become permanent.
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